The Winged Beetle

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 !