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Nocturnes: Secret Sincerity
Power, prosperity and punishment---
these gifts I have intended to deliver
to Russia: power and prosperity
to seal my hold upon the peasantry;
and punishment for those who dare refuse
the course I set. Yes, it is quite a ruse.
My mind is not bound by the thoughts of Marx;
but, rather, vengeance. How loud some dog barks
is not as terrifying as his bite.
Vengeance is all I seek, and all I want.
Russia will suffer from the lash I give her:
not simply once; another and another
will follow. Thereby, with a certain sleight
of words, in hand, I will avenge my brother.
