Alice: An Adultery

THE SIXTH DAY “ Are there not charms By which the property of youth and maidhood May be abused ? ” Othello. I drew a hideous talisman of lust In many colours where strong sigils shone ; Crook’d mystic language of oblivion, Fitted to crack and scorch the terrene crust And bring the sulphur streaming from the thrust Of Satan’s winepress, was ill written on The accurséd margin, and the orison Scrawled backwards, as a bad magician must. By these vile tricks, abominable spells, I drew foul horrors from a many hells— Though I had fathomed Fate ; though I had seen Chastity charm-proof arm the sea-gray eyes And sweet clean body of my spirit’s queen, Where nothing dwells that God did not devise. 28