Wanting to be your dog (a literary walk)
HELENA: And even for that do I love you the more.
I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius,
The more you beat me, I will fawn on you:
Use me but as your spaniel, spurn me, strike me,
Neglect me, lose me; only give me leave,
Unworthy as I am, to follow you.
What worser place can I beg in your love,--
And yet a place of high respect with me,--
Than to be used as you use your dog?
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We cried together! I have tasted all the happiness the world can offer! Listen, daroga...listen to this....While I was at her feet...I heard her say, 'Poor, unhappy Erik!' ... AND SHE TOOK MY HAND!...I had become no more, you know, than a poor dog ready to die for her....I mean it, daroga!...
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"Yes, indeed," I said with mocking bitterness, "you are afraid of
him, Wanda!" I threw myself down at her feet, and in my agitation
embraced her knees. "I don't want anything of you, except to be your
slave, to be always near you! I will be your dog-"
"Do you know, you bore me?" said Wanda, indifferently.
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Porportuk's voice rose slightly and triumphantly. "As a dog, I own
you."
"As a dog you own me," El-Soo continued calmly. "But, Porportuk, you
forget the thing I told you. Had any other man bought me, I should
have been that man's wife. I should have been a good wife to that
man. Such was my will. But my will with you was that I should never
be your wife. Wherefore, I am your dog."
Porportuk knew that he played with fire, and he resolved to play
firmly. "Then I speak to you, not as El-Soo, but as a dog," he said;
"and I tell you to come with me." He half reached to grip her arm,
but with a gesture she held him back.
"Not so fast, Porportuk. You buy a dog. The dog runs away. It is
your loss. I am your dog. What if I run away?"
"As the owner of the dog, I shall beat you--"
"When you catch me?"
"When I catch you."
"Then catch me."
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Y hoy río si tú ríes, y canto si tú cantas;
Y si tú duermes, duermo
como un perro a tus plantas.
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And O my love I love you again
I am your dog your cat
your Cleopatran snake