Contrasts
(To the sacred memory of Petronius)
AGAIN the agate chalices are filled,And of a sudden orgiasts are stilledIn wonder, when jet Nubians outpourThe liquid flames instilled from mandragore,Allured but fearful of their potent sway.The lantern fruit glow succulent and gay,Blue-veinéd grapes in massing pendulous,Small raisins, oranges acidulousContracting eyelids till the features wince,Towering domes of pineapple and quince,And apples like a film of virgin’s breath,Strange berries, (you would think they bleed to death!)Piled pappy plums opaquely amethyst,Pink furry peaches like a morning mist,Green mangoes, mellow apricots of gold,Figs puffed and oozy, melons crystal-cold,Red mammals of persimmon from the SouthAnd curious pears that glitter in the mouth,’Mid Tyrian silk, soft laughter, draperyOf fine-spun damask gleam white naperyBedizened bosoms, arms baptismal white.The guests are surfeited with food, and NightWith Sleep and Lust, her ill-assorted sons,Creeps through the porphyry pavilions.“Hither and sing, oh Syrian eunuch-boy,“Those chaste and still-born songs that never cloy“The prurient senses kindling in the flesh ...“Come, Aphrodite, send to me a fresh“Virginal body for my violence,“That I may more enjoy the somnolence“Of after-dreams!”Thus prayed the men of TyreAnd other towns demolished by God’s ire.But we to-day have learned and waxed more wise.We look into dear Lady Dodo’s eyesAnd sip champagne and eat our fricassee,Discuss her spaniel’s noble pedigree;We praise thechef. “And what a pretty dress!Worth, dear, or Callot?” (Christ! what bashfulness).And if we wish to have a little game,Beguile the night in homes of evil fame.
AGAIN the agate chalices are filled,And of a sudden orgiasts are stilledIn wonder, when jet Nubians outpourThe liquid flames instilled from mandragore,Allured but fearful of their potent sway.The lantern fruit glow succulent and gay,Blue-veinéd grapes in massing pendulous,Small raisins, oranges acidulousContracting eyelids till the features wince,Towering domes of pineapple and quince,And apples like a film of virgin’s breath,Strange berries, (you would think they bleed to death!)Piled pappy plums opaquely amethyst,Pink furry peaches like a morning mist,Green mangoes, mellow apricots of gold,Figs puffed and oozy, melons crystal-cold,Red mammals of persimmon from the SouthAnd curious pears that glitter in the mouth,’Mid Tyrian silk, soft laughter, draperyOf fine-spun damask gleam white naperyBedizened bosoms, arms baptismal white.The guests are surfeited with food, and NightWith Sleep and Lust, her ill-assorted sons,Creeps through the porphyry pavilions.“Hither and sing, oh Syrian eunuch-boy,“Those chaste and still-born songs that never cloy“The prurient senses kindling in the flesh ...“Come, Aphrodite, send to me a fresh“Virginal body for my violence,“That I may more enjoy the somnolence“Of after-dreams!”Thus prayed the men of TyreAnd other towns demolished by God’s ire.But we to-day have learned and waxed more wise.We look into dear Lady Dodo’s eyesAnd sip champagne and eat our fricassee,Discuss her spaniel’s noble pedigree;We praise thechef. “And what a pretty dress!Worth, dear, or Callot?” (Christ! what bashfulness).And if we wish to have a little game,Beguile the night in homes of evil fame.
AGAIN the agate chalices are filled,And of a sudden orgiasts are stilledIn wonder, when jet Nubians outpourThe liquid flames instilled from mandragore,Allured but fearful of their potent sway.
AGAIN the agate chalices are filled,
And of a sudden orgiasts are stilled
In wonder, when jet Nubians outpour
The liquid flames instilled from mandragore,
Allured but fearful of their potent sway.
The lantern fruit glow succulent and gay,Blue-veinéd grapes in massing pendulous,Small raisins, oranges acidulousContracting eyelids till the features wince,Towering domes of pineapple and quince,And apples like a film of virgin’s breath,Strange berries, (you would think they bleed to death!)Piled pappy plums opaquely amethyst,Pink furry peaches like a morning mist,Green mangoes, mellow apricots of gold,Figs puffed and oozy, melons crystal-cold,Red mammals of persimmon from the SouthAnd curious pears that glitter in the mouth,’Mid Tyrian silk, soft laughter, draperyOf fine-spun damask gleam white naperyBedizened bosoms, arms baptismal white.
The lantern fruit glow succulent and gay,
Blue-veinéd grapes in massing pendulous,
Small raisins, oranges acidulous
Contracting eyelids till the features wince,
Towering domes of pineapple and quince,
And apples like a film of virgin’s breath,
Strange berries, (you would think they bleed to death!)
Piled pappy plums opaquely amethyst,
Pink furry peaches like a morning mist,
Green mangoes, mellow apricots of gold,
Figs puffed and oozy, melons crystal-cold,
Red mammals of persimmon from the South
And curious pears that glitter in the mouth,
’Mid Tyrian silk, soft laughter, drapery
Of fine-spun damask gleam white napery
Bedizened bosoms, arms baptismal white.
The guests are surfeited with food, and NightWith Sleep and Lust, her ill-assorted sons,Creeps through the porphyry pavilions.“Hither and sing, oh Syrian eunuch-boy,“Those chaste and still-born songs that never cloy“The prurient senses kindling in the flesh ...“Come, Aphrodite, send to me a fresh“Virginal body for my violence,“That I may more enjoy the somnolence“Of after-dreams!”Thus prayed the men of TyreAnd other towns demolished by God’s ire.
The guests are surfeited with food, and Night
With Sleep and Lust, her ill-assorted sons,
Creeps through the porphyry pavilions.
“Hither and sing, oh Syrian eunuch-boy,
“Those chaste and still-born songs that never cloy
“The prurient senses kindling in the flesh ...
“Come, Aphrodite, send to me a fresh
“Virginal body for my violence,
“That I may more enjoy the somnolence
“Of after-dreams!”
Thus prayed the men of Tyre
And other towns demolished by God’s ire.
But we to-day have learned and waxed more wise.We look into dear Lady Dodo’s eyesAnd sip champagne and eat our fricassee,Discuss her spaniel’s noble pedigree;We praise thechef. “And what a pretty dress!Worth, dear, or Callot?” (Christ! what bashfulness).And if we wish to have a little game,Beguile the night in homes of evil fame.
But we to-day have learned and waxed more wise.
We look into dear Lady Dodo’s eyes
And sip champagne and eat our fricassee,
Discuss her spaniel’s noble pedigree;
We praise thechef. “And what a pretty dress!
Worth, dear, or Callot?” (Christ! what bashfulness).
And if we wish to have a little game,
Beguile the night in homes of evil fame.