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New Poems and Variant Readings

by Robert Louis Stevenson

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AD Olum

Call me not rebel, though [ here at every word / in what I sing ]
If I no longer hail thee [ King and Lord / Lord and King ]
I have redeemed myself with all I had,
And now possess my fortunes poor but glad.
With all I had I have redeemed myself,
And escaped at once from slavery and pelf.
The unruly wishes must a ruler take,
Our high desires do our low fortunes make:
Those only who desire palatial things
Do bear the fetters and the frowns of Kings;
Set free thy slave; thou settest free thyself.

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