Gargoyles

You cannot guess?—false devil that you are! To Cruelty’s add calm’s analysis! You love me? Yes—then crown me a bearded Sar Bull-breasted by my sleek Semiramis! Did you not hear those men below? They spoke Of one I think you have forgotten long; Talked of his ruined life—half as a joke— But I— But I—it is my whole heart’s song! I love you when I think of his pale lips Twitching, and all his curls of gold awry; Your smile of poison as he sighs and sips; Your half-scared laughter as his heart-beats die— Let him creep on, a shattered, ruined thing! A ship dismasted on a dreadful sea! And you—afar—some word of largesse fling Pitifully worded for more cruelty! His death lends savour to our passionate life ; His is the heart I taste upon your tongue; 75