The Dagger
I like you well, O trusty dagger mine,
My comrade wrought of cool Damascus steel!
Forged were you by the Georgian with revenge in the mind,
By the Circassian free - for war were you made keen.
A lily-white hand it was gave you to me -
You were affection's keepsake, its last gift...
Not blood, but pearl-like tears born of the agony
Of bitter parting down your blade ran swift.
Her dark eyes rested, full of secret pain,
Of sadness and of mystery, upon
My face, and like yourself when lit by flickering flame,
Now clouded and turned dull, now glowed and shone.
O dagger, love's mute pledge, you will my true
Friend stay, and an example set to me, a wanderer:
For faithful, yes, and firm of soul like you
I'll be like you that tempered was by fire.
poem by Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov
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Related quotes
My Wife
Trusty, dusky, vivid, true,
With eyes of gold and bramble-dew,
Steel-true and blade-straight,
The great artificer
Made my mate.
Honour, anger, valour, fire;
A love that life could never tire,
Death quench or evil stir,
The mighty master
Gave to her.
Teacher, tender, comrade, wife,
A fellow-farer true through life,
Heart-whole and soul-free
The august father
Gave to me.
poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
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Bladesmith Alchemy
He toils over fire fueled by coke
Forging a fine Damascus blade
Coaxes, cajoles, at last invokes
A sacred fire totem…unafraid
The Bladesmith knows;
Salamanders can pass thru fire
Unburnt/unharmed by such heat
A tempered blade its one desire
Lest, this fine sword be incomplete
Thru blade salamander does pass
Pursued by fiery flames from hell
Thru blinding smoke of sulfur gas
Mission done, he bids “farewell”
Revealed here the secret of 'Damascus Steel'
Perfected by one tiny amphibian's ordeal
(Inspired by Howlin Dervish)
ROTMS
poem by Ray Lucero
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The Oath
Like a blade of a sword I am forged in flame
Fiery hot
Tempered steel fire-bright to the night I take
I fear not
Now compelled by something I cannot see
I go forth surrendering to history
Your glory, I swear I ride for thee
Your power, I trust it rides with me
Your servant, I am and ever shall I be
Through a dream
I have a come to an ancient door
Lost in the mist
I have been there a hundred times or more
Pounding my fists
Now inside, the fire of the ancient burns
A boy goes in and suddenly a man returns
I gave my word and gained a key
I gave my heart and set it free
Theres no turning back from this odyssey
Because I feel so alive suddenly
And I wonder, is this really me?
song performed by by Kiss
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dagger Through The Heart
(Dolly Parton)
Oh, you're out there tonight with another
And my pain is so dreadfully sharp.
I picture you with her and shudder,
It's like a dagger through the heart
Do you think that my feelings don't matter,
Or your cheatin' or hurtful remarks
When you leave me all broken and shattered
It's like a dagger through the heart
Oh, I know I'm a fool to keep stayin'
When you've made hurtin' me such an art,
Tossed around like a used box of crayons,
It's like a dagger through the heart
Oh, you cut me to pieces so often
Like a knife or a poisonous dart
I would be better off in my coffin,
It's like a dagger through the heart
Oh, I know I'm a fool to keep stayin'
When you've made hurtin' me such an art,
Tossed around like a used box of crayons,
It's like a dagger through the heart
Like a dagger through the heart, through the heart
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My Friend
When first I looked upon the face of Pain
I shrank repelled, as one shrinks from a foe
Who stands with dagger poised, as for a blow.
I was in search of Pleasure and of Gain;
I turned aside to let him pass: in vain;
He looked straight in my eyes and would not go.
'Shake hands,' he said; 'our paths are one, and so
We must be comrades on the way, 'tis plain.'
I felt the firm clasp of his hand on mine;
Through all my veins it sent a strengthening glow.
I straightway linked my arm in his, and lo!
He led me forth to joys almost divine;
With God's great truths enriched me in the end:
And now I hold him as my dearest friend.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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Death of Innocence
Far away from the demons and ghouls
Out of reach of those that trap the soul
In the sunlight, where all is safe
Where she can lay her head in peace
Here no harm dwells, here she is free
She is free to be who she was meant to be
Innocence, her hair down
Innocence, where no malice is found
Bright blue eyes, a welcoming smile
They make you want to stay awhile
Gentle hands that never hurt anyone
A heart that has no idea of the evil that is done
Her mind thinks of that which is only good
Not polluted by the curse of knowledge of evil and good
Her light summer dress floats in the breeze
The dream that we want to believe
But the Complication of simplification
Is simplification's prone to obliteration
Innocence, though she was meant to stay
Is too often torn away
Hark, who comes across the meadow
Who hath so many good things to endow?
Comes a knight in shining armour
Lucrative Gifts doth he bear
His familiar face allays her fear
His soothing voice calms her
Her closest friend, she draws near
A smile on her face, nothing to fear
His arms wrap around her slender form
Ever so slowly, their bodies now conform
He turns now and steps away
His back to her, in her place she stays
Till he turns around, his smile gone
Now a dagger in his hand
The flatter of a friend
The precursor of her bitter end
The lips she kissed are hard
A bolt of steel strikes her heart
Her white clothes now stain red
As now all her blood has bled
He looks her in the eye
And in a cold voice says goodbye
Her closest friend was her greatest enemy
God help us, it's too late to flee
Her eyes wide in shock
Innocence lost
Unexpected, her death, sudden and swift
The end of a life pure, sending the soul adrift
The questions she would never herself ask
Now come as she sees through his mask
Now under the guise of pretence
The death of Innocence.
poem by Joses Tirtabudi
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The Tub Of Water
By the tub of water stands an object too frightening,
The steel dagger awaits bloody ruin from the majesty of evil;
Into the place we surrender our will to the enormity of disgust,
In this place of ruin we see everyday objects become murderous.
To the touch it seems a murder has been committed,
Blood is desired beyond the mirrors, beyond us.
I heard practically no sound, so astonished by the silence
I carried by own living body to the realm of the other side.
Camps of ruin, camps of blood were before me,
Antagonizing my brain and mind, my guts and feeling.
The tub of water vanished and became a tub of horror -
A monstrous man pushed up, with bloody wounds
And too many gashes to the skin, ripping apart now.
I had to disgust itself with my action,
I had to discuss with him his fate,
The fate I gave him, I never forgave him,
I hated his being with the dagger to release
Him, and me from the clutches of horror and blood.
The dagger is enough, it is enough
To employ in reducing the man,
The man who is now dead from the gashes,
The ones fresh from my dagger, the pouring blood
Is astounding, and filling the tub of water.
poem by Naveed Akram
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Worlds On Fire
Across the sea, the sea of love
And when its dark I rise above
Move slowly through the quiet air
I hear your voice, it takes me there
Call my name aloud and Ill be there for you
There is no end to all the things that I would do
Chorus
Stop your crying and dry up your endless tears
Dont you know youve got the key, love sets you free
Worlds on fire, full of pain and endless fear
Dont you know , open your eyes, love sets you free
I hold you tight, my mind is clear
True love in sight, hurt desappears
We are space, a lonely race
A speck of dust upon the face
You are magnificent, and I am here for you
There is no end to all the things that I would do
Chorus
Stop your crying and dry up your endless tears
Dont you know, youve got the key, love sets you free
Worlds on fire, full of pain and endless fear
Dont you know, open your eyes, love sets you free
Stop your crying and dry up your endless tears
Dont you know, youve got the key, love sets you free
Worlds on fire, full of pain and endless fear
Dont you know, open your eyes, love sets you free
song performed by by Erasure
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Do You Want To See The Bed In Flames?
(Translation To: Wollt Ihr Das Bett In Flammen Sehen?)
Do you want to see the bed in flames
do you want to perish in skin and hair
you want to stick the dagger in the sheet as well
you want to also lick the blood from the dagger
Rammstein
You see the crosses on the pillow
You mean the innocence may kiss you
You believe it would be hard to kill
But where are all of the dead coming from
Rammstein
Sex is a battle
Love is war
Do you want to see the bed in flames
do you want to perish in skin and hair
you want to stick the dagger in the sheet as well
you want to also lick the blood from the dagger
Rammstein
song performed by by Rammstein
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Historian
He was a big name
Who had gained fame
As one of the “Kiplings”
Who said his hero was brave
Who said his hero was burdened
Who said he had conquered
Who said he had captured
Who snatched my last weapon
My home made dagger
With handle of bone
Beads of silver
Who said
This was my honor
Who then said
I had a bitter fight
For him the cursed dagger
When snatched back
Eye to eye
He knew
Who shall have the last breath
I remember
The dagger of my fore fathers
You collected
As recovered
I did not recount the bravery
Of my heroes
They stand fallen
As you held the pen
23/1/2010
Islamabad
poem by Sadiqullah Khan
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Concord
Tremulous with love thy soul's hand pressures mine heart
So gently thy squeeze an impulse in me and I think of thee
Irresistible dost mine blood rush to mine mind smart
And in my mind, thy beauty with my intelligence I see.
Thy timid and shy engraved on mine love's ornament so faint
Impressing color on mine gray thoughts humorously and keen
With a palette of colors, thy beauty doth weave with thine perfect paint
The most magical charm one's thought hath ever seen.
As though thou read mine mind and played thy part
In harmony with thy gentle hand streaming blood to mine thought
Mine mind in concord with mine tremulous heart
Sincerely revels as thy soul designed from soul and wrought
A noble woman endowed with love's strength and mind
A gentlewoman like thee, understanding and kind..
poem by Kevin Michael Murphy
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Lily Of The West
When first I came to louisville, some pleasure there to find
A damsel there from lexington was pleasing to my mind
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips, like arrows pierced my breast
And the name she bore was flora, the lily of the west.
I courted lovely flora some pleasure for to find
But she turned unto another man whose sore distressed my mind
She robbed me of my liberty, deprived me of my rest
Then go, my lovely flora, the lily of the west.
Away down in yonder shady grove, a man of high degree
Conversin with my flora there, it seemed so strange to me
And the answer that she gave to him it sore did me oppress
I was betrayed by flora, the lily of the west.
I stepped up my rival, dagger in my hand
I seized him by the collar, and bodly made him stand
Seing mad by desperation I pierced him to the breast
All this for lovely flora, the lily of the west.
I had to stand my trial, I had to make my plea
They placed me in the witness box and then commenced on me
Although she swore my life away, deprived me of my rest
Still I love my faithless flora, the lily of the west.
song performed by by Bob Dylan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Fight Today
Numb is what I feel
Today I dream black
I've turned my blood to steal
To withhold the sharpened tact
Though the world tears me down
I stand here tall and sure
My battle cry now I sound
Begin a new war tour
I shall not be so easily felled
Cut down here where I stand
My anger not so easily quelled
A backlash I shall land
My blade is raised against you
My armor light and swift
I will move my blade true
Through you I'll cut a rift
Separate you from your will
As you tried to do to me
This is the most brutal kill
Wait and you are sure to see
When you yourself no longer dream
The pain will come at night
And dull at first it may seem
Your fear will grow to fright
You yourself shall end your own
I will do no more
You yourself the end has shown
Fate has made end for
poem by John Dillenger II
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When Angels Kiss...
The dark clouds turned into a brighter white,
And the moon it shone with a brighter light.
The flowers of life stand tall once again,
From this world is vanquished all of lifes pain...
An angel stared at me with eyes of love,
Looking down upon me from high above.
I'm mesmerised by those emerald eyes,
I look deep inside to where love lies...
My love approached, eyes down to the ground,
My heart it pumped with a roaring sound.
My smiling heart said what no one could say,
I breathed in every essence of this beautiful day...
And when my Angel uttered, 'I love you, '
Dark black skies turned into sapphire blue.
The bleak grey clouds turned into white,
And the moon it shone a brighter light...
Winters snow it melted and flowed,
The night passed and the sun it glowed.
All of this the world just could not miss,
For it happens only when angels kiss...
Spread the love... The peace will follow...
poem by Cosmic Dreamer
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Witch Child
This is a story of anger and pain;
Of inner storms with tears like rain;
Of hunger for love, and thirst for revenge;
Of lost hope, and a life of constant change.
There once was a child who had a great life,
Never knew sadness and never knew strife.
Until one day an old witch came a'knocking,
With dark eyes full of hatred and mocking,
And a mind with the cruellest intentions.
She ruined the child without hesitation:
She took away what the child loved the most.
All that the child had left was a ghost -
A ghost of an old faded memory,
And a heart full of pain and misery.
Innocence turned into monstrosity,
The child's pain turned into atrocity.
Soon the child was no longer a child,
But a vile creature, angry and riled.
poem by Maria Kirakosian
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Piere Vidal Old
When I but think upon the great dead days
And turn my mind upon that splendid madness,
Lo! I do curse my strength
And blame the sun his gladness;
For that the one is dead
And the red sun mocks my sadness.
Behold me, Vidal, that was fool of fools!
Swift as the king wolf was I and as strong
When tall stags fled me through the alder brakes,
And every jongleur knew me in his song,
And the hounds fled and the deer fled
And none fled over long.
Even the grey pack knew me and knew fear.
God! how the swiftest hind's blood spurted hot
Over the sharpened teeth and purpling lips!
Hot was that hind's blood yet it scorched me not
As did first scorn, then lips of the Penautier!
Aye ye are fools, if ye think time can blot
From Piere Vidal’s remembrance that blue night.
God! but the purple of the sky was deep!
Clear, deep, translucent, so the stars me seemed
Set deep in crystal; and because my sleep
Rare visitor came not, the Saints I guerdon
For that restlessness Piere set to keep
One more fool's vigil with the hollyhocks.
Swift came the Loba, as a branch that's caught,
Torn, green and silent in the swollen Rhone,
Green was her mantle, close, and wrought
Of some thin silk stuff that's scarce stuff at all,
But like a mist wherethrough her white form fought,
And conquered! Ah God! conquered!
Silent my mate came as the night was still.
Speech? Words? Faugh! Who talks of words and love?!
Hot is such love and silent,
Silent as fate is, and as strong until
It faints in taking and in giving all.
Stark, keen, triumphant, till it plays at death.
God! she was white then, splendid as some tomb
High wrought of marble, and the panting breath
Ceased utterly. Well, then I waited, drew,
Half-sheathed, then naked from its saffron sheath
Drew full this dagger that doth tremble here.
Just then she woke and mocked the less keen blade.
Ah God, the Loba! and my only mate!
Was there such flesh made ever and unmade!
God curse the years that turn such women grey!
Behold here Vidal, that was hunted, flayed,
Shamed and yet bowed not and that won at last.
And yet I curse the sun for his red gladness,
I that have known strath, garth, brake, dale,
And every run-away of the wood through that great
madness,
Behold me shrivelled as an old oak's trunk
And made men's mock'ry in my rotten sadness!
No man hath heard the glory of my days:
No man hath dared and won his dare as I:
One night, one body and one welding flame!
What do ye own, ye niggards! that can buy
Such glory of the earth? Or who will win
Such battle-guerdon with his 'prowesse high' ?
O age gone lax! O stunted followers,
That mask at passions and desire desires,
Behold me shrivelled, and your mock of mocks;
And yet I mock you by the mighty fires
That burnt me to this ash.
Ah! Cabaret! Ah Cabaret, thy hills again!
Take your hands off me! . . . [Sniffing the air.
Ha! this scent is hot!
poem by Ezra Pound
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The Vaudois Teacher
'O Lady fair, these silks of mine
are beautiful and rare,-
The richest web of the Indian loom, which beauty's
queen might wear;
And my pearls are pure as thy own fair neck, with whose
radiant light they vie;
I have brought them with me a weary way,-will my
gentle lady buy?'
The lady smiled on the worn old man through the
dark and clustering curls
Which veiled her brow, as she bent to view his
silks and glittering pearls;
And she placed their price in the old man's hand
and lightly turned away,
But she paused at the wanderer's earnest call,-
'My gentle lady, stay!
'O lady fair, I have yet a gem which a purer
lustre flings,
Than the diamond flash of the jewelled crown on
the lofty brow of kings;
A wonderful pearl of exceeding price, whose virtue
shall not decay,
Whose light shall be as a spell to thee and a
blessing on thy way!'
The lady glanced at the mirroring steel where her
form of grace was seen,
Where her eye shone clear, and her dark locks
waved their clasping pearls between;
'Bring forth thy pearl of exceeding worth, thou
traveller gray and old,
And name the price of thy precious gem, and my
page shall count thy gold.'
The cloud went off from the pilgrim's brow, as a
small and meagre book,
Unchased with gold or gem of cost, from his
folding robe he took!
'Here, lady fair, is the pearl of price, may it prove
as such to thee
Nay, keep thy gold-I ask it not, for the word of
God is free!'
The hoary traveller went his way, but the gift he
left behind
Hath had its pure and perfect work on that high-
born maiden's mind,
And she hath turned from the pride of sin to the
lowliness of truth,
And given her human heart to God in its beautiful
hour of youth
And she hath left the gray old halls, where an evil
faith had power,
The courtly knights of her father's train, and the
maidens of her bower;
And she hath gone to the Vaudois vales by lordly
feet untrod,
Where the poor and needy of earth are rich in the
perfect love of God!
poem by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Tempered by Fire
Fire burning oh so pure
Calm, steady and so secure
Strength tested by the fire
Burning through one heart's desire
As if forming fine steel
All that one knows and feels
Stripped of emotions completely
A cleansing so bitter sweet
Tempered in bright fire
With one heart's desire
To the very depth of one's soul
Beyond to it's fiery core
Trying to escape from the pain
Wanting so much to gain
As if in a deep and dark well
Struggling to remove a painful shell
Running tired from the sorrow
Looking for joy on the morrow
Forced through one's grief
As if shaken by a thief
Consumed with pain and grief
Leaving one so very weak
Tested and tempered by fire
Flames that purified one's desire
poem by Lorie Robertson
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There Was One
There was one a-riding grand
On a tall brown mare,
And a fine gold band
He brought me there.
A little, gold band
He held to me
That would shine on a hand
For the world to see.
There was one a-walking swift
To a little, new song,
And a rose was the gift
He carried along,
First of all the posies,
Dewy and red.
They that have roses
Never need bread.
There was one with a swagger
And a soft, slow tongue,
And a bright, cold dagger
Where his left hand swung-
Craven and gilt,
Old and bad-
And his stroking of the hilt
Set a girl mad.
There was one a-riding grand
As he rode from me.
And he raised his golden band
And he threw it in the sea.
There was one a-walking slow
To a sad, Iong sigh.
And his rose drooped low,
And he flung it down to die.
There was one with a swagger
And a little, sharp pride,
And a bright, cold dagger
Ever at his side.
At his side it stayed
When he ran to part.
What is this blade
Struck through my heart?
poem by Dorothy Parker
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The Power Of Thy Sword
Lord of battle I pray on bended knee conquest by the rising sun
I'll wait for thy command with flame and blood at hand
glory and a broken sword.
I'm the master of the world I have no fear of man or beast
Born inside the soul of the world
Riding hard breaking bone with steel and stone
Eternal might I was born to wield.
Let us drink to the battles we've lived and we've fought
Celebrate the pain and havoc we have wrought
Great heroes charge into the fight
From the north to the south in the black of night
The clash of honor calls to stand when others fall
Gods of war feel the power of my sword
Drink to the battles we've lived and we've fought
Celebrate the pain and havoc we have wrought
Great heroes charge into the fight
From the north to the south in the black of night
Fierce is my blade fierce is my hate born to die in battle
I laugh at my fate
Now pay in blood when your blood has been spilled
You're never forgiven death is fulfilled !
The clash of honor calls to stand when others fall
Gods of war feel the power of my sword
The clash of honor calls
I will stand when others fall
Open magic doors
The will know the power of my sword
There is blood in my hands there is blood in my eyes
With blood in my voice I scream as you die
Thirsting for vengeance and mounds of the slain
Shaking the forest onto the plain
Fierce is my blade fierce is my hate born to die in battle
I laugh at my fate
Now pay in blood when your blood has been spilled
You're never forgiven death is fulfilled !
The clash of honor calls to stand when others fall
Gods of war feel the power of my sword
Know the power of my sword
Know the power of my sword
Know the power of my sword
Know the power of my sword
They will know the power of my sword
song performed by by Manowar from The Triumph Of Steel
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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