Page:Betelguese, a trip through hell.djvu/101

Rh On skulls that some in Death hath left,

Croak toads to lizards in a well;

In cajons that the Ancient's digged,

Swim snakes that hiss at burning oils:

And bats and owls that offal cleft,

Proclaim their burdens to a dell,

Whilst crafts that some strange witch hath rigged,

Bring slaves unto this Cesspool's coils.

When carcants gleam like scarlet foam,

And hiss of pyres froth at each light

In dongas vext as jazels flare

From splinter'd tombs of Kings in dust,

A straggling mist that cleft Hell's dome,

Peers at the gloom and strobic sight

Of charnel shard as vypers blare

Wrathfully at each Monarch's bust.

And doleful dirges rake the gloom,

A whisper'd sin sobs at the wrecks;

Graven imps clasp papyrus old