Page:The Life of Benvenuto Cellini Vol 2.djvu/117

Rh  'Then did a solitary sparrow cry Loud from the keep; hearing which note, I said: "He tells that I shall live and you must die!"

I sang, and wrote my hard case, head by head, Asking from God pardon and aid in need, For now I felt mine eyes outworn and dead.

Ne'er lion, tiger, wolf, or bear knew greed Hungrier than that man felt for human blood; Nor viper with more venomous fang did feed.

The cruel chief was he of robbers' brood, Worst of the worst among a gang of knaves; Hist! I'll speak soft lest I be understood!

Say, have ye seen catchpoles, the famished slaves, In act a poor man's homestead to distrain, Smashing down Christs, Madonnas, with their staves?

So on the first of August did that train Dislodge me to a tomb more foul, more cold:— "November damns and dooms each rogue to pain!"

I at mine ears a trumpet had which told Truth; and each word to them I did repeat, Reckless, if but grief's load from me were rolled.

They, when they saw their final hope retreat, Gave me a diamond, pounded, no fair ring, Deeming that I must die if I should eat.