THE OPIUM-SMOKER 
165 
 
IV 
See how the Star of the Universe blazes !   
Millions of meteors in marvellous mazes 
Mingle their magic of peony praises. 
 
Oh !  the dark streak on the heart of its flood !   
Smitten is the Star, and its poisonous blood 
Drips through the race of the luminous scud. 
 
Poison and poison and poison !  I quiver, 
Drenched with the hate of the horrible river— 
O but the stars of it stagger and shiver !   
 
Leave me in peace, O disaster of light !   
Leave me to solitude, leave me to night !   
Is there no moon to enkindle the height ?   
 
V 
See how the moon with her amrita dews 
Drinks up the death of the Star, and renews 
Life in cascades of peonian hues !   
 
Nay, but she curves to arise, to increase ;   
Glamour on glamour to sicken and cease. 
How shall the warrior win to the peace ?   
 
Fade, O thou moon in thy magical bark !   
Sink in the ocean thy silvery spark !   
Leave me, ah leave me alone in the dark !