LINES TO ABSINTHE
Francis Saltus Saltus
With wincing sob, and thrilling yell,
Fiends have shed tears, to form thy spell
Which fascinates my soul.
Which makes me toll my own death-knell,
Wafts up the sin, I cannot quell—
And lures me on the road to hell—
With torment as a goal!
Unnerved I kneel at thy command,
How can I e'er thy power withstand?
When, by its cheering might-
Vistas of glory bright and grand,
Glimpses of bliss on Eden's strand—
Swifter than by a wizard's wand—
Loom 'fore my dazzled sight!
How of thy sweets can I e'er tire,
Thy magic sway cease to admire—
When thy pearl drops of green :
Can by their odor calm my ire,
The loftiest, noblest thoughts inspire—
While for the world's good, I aspire,
In dreamy realms unseen.
For, quaffing from thy nectar source,
Spurred by the suaveness of thy force
Of happiness I dream.
My mind floats on in placid course,
I know no sting, I feel no loss—
Believe in naught—scoff at remorse—
•Seek only the supreme.
If weary, from my cark-drugged brain—
Thy potency will banish pain,
And fill my cup of joy.
Ignore I fear—and feel no strain,
Fierce ecstasies that never wane
In thy dear sweets I seek again
All flitting hopes to buoy.
And when in fancies born of air
Ungrateful liquid, free from care—
I sip thy venom dire,
Thou sow'st the seed of death to share
Foul Satan's joy, when young and fair—
Fall reckless in thy tempting snare—
Oh! green and frozen fire!
Outcast and scourge, my tongue is tame,
I have no strength to say I blame—
Thy fatal sway o'er me.
Thy griffin claws my soul will claim,
Thy savor brings a life of shame,
To end alas in one of flame
Torment and agony.
But if in rags my limbs are clad,
And if my face is wan and sad,
Absinthe, I love thee still!
My heart has not alway been bad,
And though the keen world call me mad—
Naught have I had, to make me glad,
Save thy delirious thrill!
Need I e'er food? by thee am fed,
Need I a love? 'tis thee I wed,
My pale and glaucous bride;
And though my nerves be dull as lead
In my clenched hand, alive or dead—
I swear that on my dying bed,
I'll have thee by my side.