Part 8 (1/2)

VIII

A smile will turn away green eyes That laughter could not touch, The dangers of those subtleties, The stealthy, clever hand, Should not affright you overmuch If you but understand How Judas, clad in Oxford grey,-- Could walk abroad on Easter Day.

Paris, 1919

IX

Two Kings there were, one Good, one Bad; The first was mournfulness itself, The second, happy as a lad,-- And both are dust upon a shelf.

Sheffield, 1917

X

I see that Hermes unawares, Has left his footprints on the path; See here, he fell, and in his wrath He pulled out several golden hairs Against the brambles. Guard them well, The hairs of G.o.ds are valuable.

Paris, 1919

XI

Semiramis, the wh.o.r.e of Babylon, Bade me go walking with her. I obeyed.

Philosophy, I thought, is not afraid Of any woman underneath the sun.

Far up the hills she led me, where one ledge Thrust out a slender finger to the sky, Dizzy and swaying as an eagle's cry; Semiramis stepped to the farthest edge.

And there she danced, whirling upon her toes, The triumph of a flame was in her face, Faster and faster as the mad wind blows, She whirled, and slipped, and dashed down into s.p.a.ce....

Next day I saw her smiling in the sun, Semiramis, the Queen of Babylon.

Paris, 1919

XII

Bring hemlock, black as Cretan cheese, And mix a sacramental brew; A worthy drink for Socrates, Why not for you?

Sheffield, 1917

XIII

Walking through the town last night, I learned the lore of second sight, And saw through all those solid walls, Imbecile and troglodyte.

The vicious apes of either s.e.x Grinned and mouthed and stretched their necks, Their little l.u.s.ts skipped back and forth, Not very pretty or complex.

Each has five senses; every sense Is like a false gate in a fence, They think the gates are bona fide, Such is their only innocence.

And think themselves extremely wise When any sense records its lies, They mumble what they feel or hear, Unmindful still of Paradise.