His Mother Had Borne

And they saw that at last his mother had borne Had wept her tears with one single smile And his father saw ending the discontent of years And he held his child in his hands at last. But there were enemies! And startled grew green at the birth that surprised them they had hoped that the misfortunes of his mother at birth would continue so startled thus they devised a plan, an alternative plan. And they envied him thus that they met and agreed Together agreed and together On oath said: We shall not kill him but make him to suffer all time That every hour he suffer as much as a Death Barren we will him and though To Fame he deserves we will crush his memory Nay what after him be preserved Be tarnished with lies and disgrace What greater punishment? What more ill-treatment? What more pleasure sadistic to see in pain? Execution by fire be not millionth of this.