Green as the sea, temptations creep
Through the shadows of the mind,
Where with flaming flowers entwined
Dark ejaculations leap--
Stems obscure that coil and thrust
In the moon's unhallowed glow,
And the autumnal shadows throw
Of their auguries of lust.
And the moon may hardly shine
Through their fevered fast embrace:
Limb and slimy limb enlace,
Emerald and serpentine.
Sacrilegiously they grow,
And their secret will reveal,
Dismal as regrets that steal
O'er men dying in the snow;
And their mournful shadows hide
Tangled wounds that mark the thrust
Of the azure swords of lust
In the crimson flesh of pride.
When will the dreams of earth, alas,
Find in my heart their final tomb?
O let Thy glory, Lord, illume
This dark and evil house of glass,
And that oblivion nought may win!
The dead leaves of their fevers fall,
The stars between their lips, and all
The visceræ of woe and sin!