356

Oh god and if they cut

Him down it will not be

A dignified approach

To earth, and for the fall

He will only be held

In their arms and come to

The soil dressed in his rags

Of flesh and flogged once more,

And if they think of him

As anything it will

Be as an animal

Had happened to be born,

And, known as nothingness,

Could go back in that void

Content, and without pain.

In any case he will

Not be cut down again.

He will there longer stay

Than life endure, and his

Verve still in him slowly,

And quiet breath run out

As one more slow desire

Lost on the chosen air,

Free now of its master.