Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/122

O, her new beauty was above all praise!
She came with dancing in shy devious ways,
  And while she danced she sang.
The virgin bandlet of her forehead brake,
Her hair came round her like a shining snake;
To loving her men's hearts within them sprang
  The while she danced and sang.

Her long black hair danced round her like a snake
Allured to each charmed movement she did make;
  Her voice came strangely sweet;
She sang, "O, Herod, wilt thou look on me—
Have I no beauty thy heart cares to see?"
And what her voice did sing her dancing feet
  Seemed ever to repeat.

She sang, "O, Herod, wilt thou look on me?
What sweet I have, I have it all for thee;"
  And through the dance and song
She freed and floated on the air her arms
Above dim veils that hid her bosom's charms:
The passion of her singing was so strong
  It drew all hearts along.