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- 94 - “Let Me Live and I Will Give You an Empire” Alpine passes sealed fast by partisans, Mussolini, with Claretta, was caught, Where Lake Como sparks in cool sunlight. After a brief, baffled trial: guilty, then Hauled past the Duomo’s marble spires, brought To the ESSO stop, their corpses strung tight From toes with piano wire. Il Duce Had pleaded with his armed captors, offered Absurd, marvelous things, empires. Events Swung him in an April breeze, but before they Hauled her up, they tied Claretta’s skirt, cared Enough to hide her white undergarments. Even in a mire of murderous joy, It was too much for her killers to see. ...

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