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1865–1914

CHECK AND COUNTER-CHECK.

Madison Julius Cawein

Vent all your coward's wrath Upon me so!— Yes, I have crossed your path And will not go!

Storm at me hate, and name Me all that's vile, “Lust,” “filth,” “disease,” and “shame,” I only smile.

Me brute rage can not hurt, It only flings In your own eyes blind dirt That bites and stings.

Rave at your like such whine, Your fellow-men, This wrath!— great God! and mine!— What is it then?

No words! no oaths! such hate As devils smile When raw success cries “wait!” And “afterwhile!”

A woman I and ill, A courtesan You wearied of, would kill, And you — a man!

You, you — unnamable! A thing there's not, Too base to burn in Hell, Too vile to rot.

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CHECK AND COUNTER-CHECK. · Madison Julius Cawein · Poetry Cove