Nay, the stanch steel or trusty cord,—who cares

I' the blind old palace, a pitfall at each step,

With none to see, much more to interpose

O' the two, three, creeping-house-dog-servant-things

Born mine and bred mine? Had I willed gross death,

I had found nearer paths to thrust him prey

Than this that goes meandering here and there

Through half the world and calls down in its course

Notice and noise,—hate, vengeance, should it fail,

Derision and contempt though it succeed!