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THE GHOUL AND THE SERAPH
THE GHOUL AND THE SERAPH
Scene: A cemetary, by moonlight. The Ghoul emerges fromthe shade of a cypress, and sings.
THE SONGHo, ho, the Pest is on the wing!Ha, ha, the sweet and crimson foamUpon the lips of churl and king!No worm but hath a feastful home:Ha, ha, the Pest is on the wing!
Ho, ho, his kiss incarnadinesThe brows of maiden, queen and whore!The nun to him her cheek resigns;Wan lips were never kissed beforeHis ancient kiss incarnadines.
Good cheer to thee, white worm of death!The priest within the brothel dies,The bawd hath sickened from his breath!In grave half-dug the digger lies:Good cheer to thee, white worm of death!
The Seraph appears from among the trees, half-walking, half-flying with wings whose iris the moonlight has rendered faint,and pauses abruptly at sight of the Ghoul.
THE SERAPHWhat gardener in crudded fields of hell,Or scullion of the Devil's house, art thou—To whom the filth of Malebolge clings,And reek of horrid refuse? Thou art gnurledAnd black as any Kobold from the minesWhere demons delve for orichalch and steelTo forge the racks of Satan! On thy face,
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