52 
TRANSLATIONS FROM BAUDELAIRE 
 
Who taught frail man, to make his suffering lighter, 
Consoling, to mix sulphur with salt nitre ! 
 
O Satan, have pity of my long misery ! 
 
O subtle complice, who as blatant Beast 
Brandest vile Crœsus, him that pities least ! 
 
O Satan, have pity of my long misery ! 
 
Who in girls’ eyes and hearts implantest deep 
Lust for the wound, the twain that wound bids weep ! 
 
O Satan, have pity of my long misery ! 
 
Staff of the exiled, the inventor’s spark, 
Confessor of hanged men and plotters dark ! 
 
O Satan, have pity of my long misery ! 
 
Adopted sire of whom black wrath and power 
Of God the Father chased from Eden Bower ! 
 
O Satan, have pity of my long misery ! 
 
FEMMES DAMNÉES. 
 
Like pensive cattle couched upon the sand 
They turn their eyes to ocean’s distant ring ; 
Feet seek each other, hand desires hand, 
With langour sweet and bitter shuddering.