The Self-Tormenter

<title>The Self-Tormenter</title>
<h1>The Self-Tormenter</h1>
<pre>
  To J. G. F.

  I shall strike you without anger
  And without hate, like a butcher,
  As Moses struck the rock!
  And from your eyelids I shall make

  The waters of suffering gush forth
  To inundate my Sahara.
  My desire swollen with hope
  Will float upon your salty tears

  Like a vessel which puts to sea,
  And in my heart that they'll make drunk
  Your beloved sobs will resound
  Like a drum beating the charge!

  Am I not a discord
  In the heavenly symphony,
  Thanks to voracious Irony
  Who shakes me and who bites me?

  She's in my voice, the termagant!
  All my blood is her black poison!
  I am the sinister mirror
  In which the vixen looks.

  I am the wound and the dagger!
  I am the blow and the cheek!
  I am the members and the wheel,
  Victim and executioner!

  I'm the vampire of my own heart
  Condemned to eternal laughter,
  But who can no longer smile!
</pre>