The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Margaret Chandler/Oh Press Me Not To Taste Again

Oh Press Me Not To Taste Again
Oh press me not to taste again Of those luxurious banquet sweets! Or hide from view the dark red stain, That still my shuddering vision meets.

Away! 't is loathsome! bear me hence! I cannot feed on human sighs, Or feast with sweets my palate's sense, While blood is ‘neath the fair disguise.

No, never let me taste again Of aught beside the coarsest fare, Far rather, than my conscience stain, With the polluted luxuries there.