An Epic of Women and Other Poems

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ...her hair That lash'd and leapt on each place white and fair Of bosom or of arm, And through the blazing of the numberless And whirling jewelled fires of her dress, Her perfect face no passion could disarm Of its reposeful charm. Her head oft drooped as in some languid death Beneath brim tastes of joy, and her rich breath Heaved faintly from her breast; Her long eyes, opened fervently and wide, Did seem with endless rapture to abide In some fair trance through which the soul possest Love, ecstasy, and rest. But lo--while each man fixed his eyes on her, And was himself quite filled with the stir His heart did make within--The place was full of devils everywhere: They came in from the desert and the air; They came from all the palaces of sin, And each heart they were in: They lurked beneath the purples, and did crawl Or crouch in unseen corners of the hall, Among the brass and gold; They climbed the brazen pillars till they lined The chamber fair; and one went up behind The throne of Herod--fearful to behold---The Serpent king of old. Yea, too, before those blinded men there went Some even to Salome; and they lent Strange charms she did not shun. She stretched her hand forth, and inclined her ear; She knew those men would neither see nor hear-. A devil did support her head, and one Her steps' light fabric spun. O, then her voice with singing all unveiled, In no trained timid accents, straight assailed King Herod's open heart: The amorous supplication wove and wound Soft deadly sins about it; the words found Fair traitor thoughts there, --singing snakes did dart Their poison in each part. She sang, " 0 look on me, and look on Love: We three are here together, and above---What heaven may there be? None for thine heart...