Page:Betelguese, a trip through hell.djvu/48

40 Sink in a cajon's livid course;

The winds and storms are silent, dead,

As barriers red bathe the waste.

What of the sight when Horrors swirl,

When oceans ring with Terror's roll?

What of the galley-decks and wrecks

That felt the force of angry Hell?

When kingdoms fought each warring Earl,

The incubi cursed each lost soul;

When vandals broke the idols' necks,

Giant battle-axes smote each dell.

And, then came there galvanic gloom! An acrid oath and savage howl,

Hurl'd at an idol's austere ghoul

By grizzled rogue and mocking gnome,

Perturbéd as vandals shine and bloom

In robes of pearl and tazzled cowl,

Throw Hecate's spawn into a pool

Who stung them with a poisoned bone.

This wanton witch of evil fame,

Vamped with both hatred, murder, lust,