“DE PROFUNDIS.”—A NEW VERSION.
Pity the sorrows of a poor old man,
Close prisoner kept within the Vatican;
What if ’tis a fair palace, if I don’t
Go free abroad—that is because I won’t!
Dry bread and water, such the prison food;—
Unless I choose to order all that’s good.
And then so poor—with Peter’s pence in pocket,
And treasury with friends and foes to stock it.
Besides, these felon’s garments forced to wear,