Jephthah and Other Mysteries

LYRICAL AND DRAMATIC. 167 II. Lust, impotence, and knowledge of thy soul, And that foreknowledge, fill the fiery lake Of lava where thy lazar corpse shall break The burning surface to seek out a goal More horrible, unspeakable. The scroll Opens, and “ coward, liar, monster” shake Those other names of “goat” and “swine” and “snake” Wherewith Hell’s worms caress thee and control. Nay, but alone, intolerably alone, Alone, as here, thy carrion soul shall swelter, Yearning in vain for sleep, or death, or shelter ; No release possible, no respite known, Self-damned, without a friend, thy eternal place Sweats through the painting of thy harlot’s face. At the hour of the eclipse, Wednesday, Dec. 28.