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Show THE HAUNTED HOUSE. By George Sylvester Viereck. I lay beside you on your lips the while, Hovered, most strange. .. .the mirage of a smile, Such as a minstrel lover might have seen, Upon the visage of some antique queen Flickering like flame, half ohokod by wind and dust, Weary of all things saving song and lust How many days and years and lovers' lies Gave you your knowledge? You aro very wise And tired, yet insatiate to the last. These things I thought, but said not; and there passed Before my vision in voluptuous quest, The pageant of the lovers who possessed Your soul and body even as I possess, Who marked your passion in Its nakedness And all your love-sins when your love was new. They saw as I your quivering breast, and drew Nearer to the consuming flame that burns Deep to the marrow of my bone, and turns My heart to love even as theirs who knew From head to girdle each sweet curve of you, Each little way of loving. No caress, But apes the part of former loves. Ah, yes, Even thus your hand toyed in the locks of him Who came before me. Was he fair of limb Or very dark? What matter, with such lures You snared the hearts of all your paramours! Tonight I feel the presence of the others, Your lovers were they and are now my brothers; And I have nothing that has not been theirs, No single bloom the tree of passion bears' They have not plucked. Beloved, can It bo? Is there no gift that you reserve for me No loving kindness or no subtle sin, No secret shrine that none has entered in, Whither no mocking memories pursue, Love's wistful pilgrim? I am weary, too, With weariness of all your loves, and when I follow in tho ways of other men, I know each spot of your sweet body is A cross, the tombstone of some perished kiss. My arms embrace you, and a silent host Of shadows rises at each side a ghost. With all its beauty and its faultless grace Your body, dearest, is a haunted place. When I did yield to passion's swift demand, One of your lovers touched me with his hand, And in the pang of amorous delight I hoar strange voices calling through the night In "Papyrus." |
