To An Importunate Ghost

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Get gone, thou most uncomfortable ghost!
  Thou really dost annoy me with thy thin
  Impalpable transparency of grin;
  And the vague, shadowy shape of thee almost
  Hath vext me beyond boundary and coast
  Of my broad patience.  Stay thy chattering chin,
  And reel the tauntings of thy vain tongue in,
  Nor tempt me further with thy vaporish boast
  That I am _helpless_ to combat thee!  Well,
  Have at thee, then!  Yet if a doom most dire
  Thou wouldst escape, flee whilst thou canst!--Revile
  Me not, Miasmic Mist!--Rank Air! _retire_!
  One instant longer an thou haunt'st me, I'll
  _Inhale_ thee, O thou wraith despicable!

© James Whitcomb Riley