Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.
58. Sam Hookey
IHaving 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!