INDIAN DANCERS

Eyes ravished with rapture, celestially panting,

what passionate bosoms aflaming with fire

Drink deep of the hush of the hyacinth

heavens that glimmer around them in

fountains of light;

O wild and entrancing the strain of keen music

that cleaveth the stars like a wail of desire,

And beautiful dancers with houri-like faces

bewitch the voluptuous watches of night.

The scents of red roses and sandalwood flutter

and die in the maze of their gem-tangled hair,

And smiles are entwining like magical serpents

the poppies of lips that are opiate-sweet;

Their glittering garments of purple are burning

like tremulous dawns in the quivering air,

And exquisite, subtle and slow are the tinkle

and tread of their rhythmical, slumber-soft feet.

Now silent, now singing and swaying and swinging,

like blossoms that bend to the breezes or showers,

Now wantonly winding, they flash, now they

falter, and, lingering, languish in radiant

choir;

Their jewel-girt arms and warm, wavering, lily-long

fingers enchant through melodious hours,

Eyes ravished with rapture, celestially panting,

what passionate bosoms aflaming with fire!

The Golden Threshold · 第 45 / 64 题