Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET: 5, by HEINRICH HEINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET: 5, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A torture-chamber was the world to me
Last Line: To her, who stands with cold and mocking smile.
Subject(s): Love - Unrequited


A TORTURE-CHAMBER was the world to me,
Where I suspended by the feet did hang;
Hot pincers gave my body many a pang,
A vice of iron crush'd me fearfully.
I wildly cried in nameless agony,
From mouth and eyes the blood in torrents sprang, --
A maid passed by, who a gold hammer swang,
And presently the coup-de-grace gave she.
My quivering limbs she scans with eager eye,
My tongue protruding, as death's hour draws nigh,
From out my bleeding mouth, -- a ghastly sight,
My heart's wild pantings hears she with delight;
My last death-rattle music is the while
To her, who stands with cold and mocking smile.





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