But lo—while each man fixed his eyes on her,
And was himself quite fillèd with the stir
His heart did make within—
The place was full of devils everywhere:
They came in from the desert and the air;
They came from all the palaces of sin,
And each heart they were in:
They lurked beneath the purples, and did crawl
Or crouch in unseen corners of the hall,
Among the brass and gold;
They climbed the brazen pillars till they lined
The chamber fair; and one went up behind
The throne of Herod—fearful to behold—
The Serpent king of old.
Yea, too, before those blinded men there went
Some even to Salome; and they lent
Strange charms she did not shun.
She stretched her hand forth, and inclined her ear;
She knew those men would neither see nor hear:
A devil did support her head, and one
Her steps' light fabric spun.
Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/125
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