[BNP/E3, 49A1 – 37]

Kropotkine C. del Pan

Dreams, idle dreams! Yet happy who can have

Such things existence things to substitute!

Who sums not life into a flowering grave

Nor looks his good in fame and in repute.

Happy so firm to dream and to believe

That on the soil of earth good can take root

Nor knows that joys as pains can make to grieve

And Venus’ self is turned[1] a prostitute.

[37v]

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Oh miserable slaves that no revolt

Can kindle or impel to my use,      

Slaves that we are, that cannot will nor choose

With mind and conscience under look and bolt.

Slaves that no {…} can redeem

From this eternal tyranny divine

Freemen and freedmen that a drop of wine

Can make to sleep or injure in a dream!

So wholly slaves, so miserably slaves!

19 may

 
[1] is turned /was born\