Page:Betelguese, a trip through hell.djvu/29

Rh Greet jejune souls within this shoal,

Where witches lure each helot's eye,

Each gyving hoodlum, seer and sage.

In blazing tankards gleams a sight

As o'er their heads giant rocks roll,

Of skinless nudes that gasp and die

As poisoned lizards vent their rage.

Then, vile squats blast the eerie air! Glozing gnomes of pond'rous built,

Peer at plagues that goddard's hold; Writhe vermin in each ghoul-king's olpe,—

Blind death within a secret lair! A varlet who his wine hath spilt

As Scorpions smote him treblefold,

Is thrown into a stagnant sea

By Lordly Helm of bad repute,

Whose visage, curl'd in ughly mien,

Vext at each leper's font of spleen.

Invokes a hairless witch to scan

The shambling hordes that boon refute,

Who lifts her unguis, long and lean,