Early Works of Karl Marx: Book of Verse

Invocation of One in Despair

So a god has snatched from me my all

In the curse and rack of Destiny.

All his worlds are gone beyond recall!

Nothing but revenge is left to me!

On myself revenge I'll proudly wreak,

On that being, that enthroned Lord,

Make my strength a patchwork of what's weak,

Leave my better self without reward!

I shall build my throne high overhead,

Cold, tremendous shall its summit be.

For its bulwark-- superstitious dread,

For its Marshall--blackest agony.

Who looks on it with a healthy eye,

Shall turn back, struck deathly pale and dumb;

Clutched by blind and chill Mortality

May his happiness prepare its tomb.

And the Almighty's lightning shall rebound

From that massive iron giant.

If he bring my walls and towers down,

Eternity shall raise them up, defiant.