Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.

58. Sam Hookey

I RAN away from home with the circus,

Having fallen in love with Mademoiselle Estralada,

The lion tamer.

One time, having starved the lions

For more than a day,

I entered the cage and began to beat Brutus

And Leo and Gypsy.

Whereupon Brutus sprang upon me,

And killed me.

On entering these regions

I met a shadow who cursed me,

And said it served me right.…

It was Robespierre!