Demands relentless meed, and thus I live,

Loathing the living, yet afraid to die.

How often have I tried to end it all!

So often have I failed. I, who was known

Wide as a living terror of red death,

Whom countless victims of my sword have cursed

Dying,—I am afraid to kill myself.

I have lain down and bade goodbye to earth,

Glared at the jeering sea and mocking sand,