LUCIFER CONFOUNDED

Governor: See him pale,
Unnerved by the rapture with which
His people welcome him.
Poet: (Ay! If you will not be
Silent, I'll scream. He wants
To offend me, he insults me.
Reduced to "my people,"
Belittled to their own
Ridiculous dimensions!)
G.: After such an ovation,
The Maestro will pronounce
A few words for us.
P.: Help! I cannot understand
What's happening to me.
I cannot even endure
This homage. And I'm ill.
G.: Our divine countryman!
P.: My God! I'm really not
Feeling very well.
I'm no prima donna.
I cannot speak.
I will Not speak.
(Such insolence!
They have schemed against me.
The foremost of my country—
What a mockery!
Merely first of my time!)

G.: Gentlemen, we ourselves
Are not worthy to hear
The great poet.
Applaud Him, yes, the suffering
Captive of this fervor.
But look at him now:
Visible and invisible!