Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/125

 But lo—while each man fixed his eyes on her, And was himself quite fillèd 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.