Oracles

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.