The Man who Laughed 

Ah! In the end you will howl, wretch!
Still panting from your heinous crime,
In your despicable triumph, so dismal and so brief,
I grab you. I place a sign on your forehead;
And now the crowd comes running, and ridicules you.
Whilst you are nailed to a post in vengeance,
Whilst your chin is pushed up by an iron-collar,
Whilst the button flies off your jacket,
History, stood at my side, strips your shoulder naked,
You say: “I feel nothing!” and you mock us, how funny!
You drool as you laugh gaily upon my name;
But I hold the red-hot branding iron and see your flesh smoke.

Victor Hugo