White Stains

VICTORY 101 With glorious feet stained through with rings, Kissed blood that leapt to feel the tongue Slip eager through the teeth, while clings The lissome body, borne on wings Of pain unspeakable, unsung, To that tormentor, red and cruel, Those teeth that bit for joy, and clung Murderously amorous, while the young Tender flesh burned, a quivering fuel For strange desire, for strange desire, Passion and penitence, and dule, Love glowing some unholy jewel Glittering frightful mid the mire. Oh ! Love, what utter sweetness yet ! What agony of curst hell-fire, Shame, lust, and infamy, and ire, Wrath in the highest heavens set, Shame in the soul, and leaping lust On pleasure’s flaming parapet, An Infamy that I forget.