Rosa Inferni

You slacked your kiss upon the sodden youth In some excess of confidence, decay Of care to hold him—can I tell you which ? Down goes the moon—one sees the howling bitch ! The salmon you had hooked in fin and gill You reel unskilfully—he darts away. Alas ! you devil, but you hold me still ! III FIRST and fairest of Earth’s darling daughters ! How could I sing you ?—you have always seemed Unto the saucy driveller as he dreamed Like a rich sunset seen on tropic waters— (Your eyes effulgent from a thousand slaughters Looked tenderly upon me !) all the red Raving round you like a glory shed Upon the excellent wonder of your head ; The blue all massed within your marvellous eyes ; The gold a curtain of their harmonies As in a master canvas of de Ryn ; But ever central glowed the royal sun, A miracle cartouche upon the edge Of the opalescent waters slantwise seen. This oval sealed with grave magnificence Stamped you my queen. Thus looked your lips to one Who stood a casual on life’s slippery ledge, A blind bat hanging from the tree of sense 3 O