We are not ourselves
When nature, being oppressed, commands the mind
To suffer with the body.

We are not ourselves
When nature, being oppressed, commands the mind
To suffer with the body.

Like men condemned to thunderbolts,
Who, ere the blow, become mere dolts.

Like men condemned to thunderbolts,
Who, ere the blow, become mere dolts.

But the devil when he purports any evil against man, first
perverts his mind.
[Lat., At daemon, homini read more

But the devil when he purports any evil against man, first
perverts his mind.
[Lat., At daemon, homini quum struit aliquid malum,
Pervertit illi primitus mentem suam.]

I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.

I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.

Insanity is my only means of relaxation

Insanity is my only means of relaxation

Some are born mad. Some remain so.

Some are born mad. Some remain so.

Oh! thou who are greatly mad, deign to spare me who am less mad.
[Lat., O major tandem parcas, read more

Oh! thou who are greatly mad, deign to spare me who am less mad.
[Lat., O major tandem parcas, insane, minori.]

Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.

Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.

O, hark! what mean those yells and cries?
His chain some furious madman breaks;
He comes--I see read more

O, hark! what mean those yells and cries?
His chain some furious madman breaks;
He comes--I see his glaring eyes:
Now, now, my dungeon grate he shakes.
Help! Help! He's gone!--O fearful woe,
Such screams to hear, such sights to see!
My brain, my brain,--I know, I know
I am not mad but soon shall be.