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120 As goblins' eyes might gleam Or baleful rubies glare, Muffled in smoke or incense-laden air. And thou, most weird companion, thou dost seem Some mottled moth of Hell, That stealthily might fly To hover there above the carnal bell Of some black lily, still and venomous, And poise forever thus.

Sterling delights in the use of jewel-like comparisons, and many of his poems scintillate with this jeweled brilliancy. In them is color in abundance and often a touch of delicate fantasy:

George Sterling was born at Sag Harbor, New York, on December 1, 1869, the son of George Ansel and Mary Parker (Havens) Sterling. He was educated in private and public schools and at St. Charles College, Elliott City, Md.