"Bring me the captive, now! My hand feels skilful, and the shadows lift From my waked spirit airily and swift, And I could paint the bow Upon the bended heavens--around me play Colors of such divinity to-day. "Ha! bind him on his back! Look!--as Prometheus in my picture here! Quick!--or he faints!--stand with the cordial near! Now--bend him on the rack! Press down the poisoned links into his flesh! And tear agape that healing wound afresh! "So,--let him writhe! How long Will he live thus? Quick, my good pencil, now! What a fine agony works upon his brow! Ha! gray-haired and so strong! How fearfully he stifles that short moan! Gods! if I could but paint a dying groan! "'Pity' thee! So I do! I pity the dumb victim at the altar-- But does the robed priest for his pity falter? I'd rack thee, though I knew A thousand lives were perishing in thine-- What were ten thousand to a fame like mine? "But, there's a deathless name! A spirit that the smothering vault shall spurn, And, like a steadfast planet, mount and burn-- And though its crown of flame Consumed my brain to ashes as it shone-- By all the fiery stars! I'd bind it on! "Ay--though it bid me rifle My heart's last fount for its insatiate thirst-- Though every life-strung nerve be maddened first-- Though it should bid me stifle The yearning in my throat for my sweet child, And taunt its mother till my brain went wild-- "All--I would do it all-- Sooner than die, like a dull worm, to rot-- Thrust foully into earth to be forgot! O heavens!--but I appall Your heart, old man!--forgive--ha! on your lives Let him not faint! rack him till he revives! "Vain--vain--give o'er. His eye Glazes apace. He does not feel you now-- Stand back! I'll paint the death-dew on his brow! Gods! if he do not die, But for one moment--one--till I eclipse Conception with the scorn of those calm lips! "Shivering! Hark! he mutters Brokenly now--that was a difficult breath-- Another? Wilt thou never come, O Death? Look! how his temple flutters! Is his heart still? Aha! lift up his head! He shudders--gasps--Jove help him--so--he's dead."