The Winged Beetle

57 THE DUELLISTS WHEN Tantalus talked, Jove was angered, He cursed, He Plunged him in Hades. In torture immersed, he Secretly laughed at the wrath of the Gods ; For, it chanced, he was not at all hungry or thirsty. So now, are you sure that you know how to use me ? It is certain the game is to win or to lose me ? It is you that stake all—I shall win at the odds ! All I risk is one thing—will you bore or amuse me ? The god in the garden am I with my gross Worn mouth, whose indulgence hath made it morose. I paw your soft flesh, and you waken a mood To lip you, to strip you, to study you close. You are cunning, I know—you stand out for your price ! But to cheat you is all I have left for a vice. Then learn ! if you try to backgammon the devil The devil is sure to have loaded the dice.