THE LUST OF THE WORLD

Since Man first lifted up his eyes to hers

And saw her vampire beauty, which is lust,

All else is dust

Within the compass of the universe.

With heart of Jael and with face of Ruth

She sits upon the tomb of Time and quaffs

Heart's blood and laughs

At all Life calls most noble and the truth.

The fire of conquest and the wine of dreams

Are in her veins; and in her eyes the lure

Of things unsure,

Urging the world forever to extremes.

Without her, Life would stagnate in a while.—

Her touch it is puts pleasure even in pain.—

So Life attain

Her end, she cares not if the means be vile.

She knows no pity, mercy, or remorse.—

Hers is to build and then exterminate:

To slay, create,

And twixt the two maintain an equal course.