I am the Tragic Muse;
Born of the web of my brain,
Lo ! my children shall pass,
Poverty, Pathos, and Pain;
Labor,—and Love forsworn,
Each in their turn I name.
Jealousy, evil born
Sorrow, and Sin and Shame.
I am the World's despair,
I am the heart's despite,
Woven of me is fear,
Shadow of mine is night;
I am the Muse that weeps,
Out of my grief is Strife,
Tragedy, I am called,
I am the mirror of Life!