Malignancy

One of their neighbors is afflicted

With a fell spirit, lost, and doomed

To roam alone among the tombs,

The spirit’s fierce, but some have tricked it.

Citizens have bound the madman tight,

Caught him in fetters or in chains,

But strength no ligature contains

Breaks them like braided aconite.
And after this, they let him be

Because his might has always snapped

Twine tying wrists, but flesh has trapped

Unspeakable malignancy.