Gargoyles

AVE MORS. O V1RGIN! O my sister! Hear me, death! The tainted kisses of the harlot life Sicken me; hers is foul and fevered breath, This noisome woman I have made my wife. She lies asweat, aslime. O hear me, thon ! Wash with thy tears this desecrated brow ! With cool chaste kisses cleanse me! Lay me out, Wrapped in a spotless winding-sheet, and soothe These nerves ill nuzzled by the black swine’s snout With thine eternal anodyne of truth! The foul beast grunts and snorts; but hear me, death! Thy wings are wind-white as her hoofs are dunged. Thy songs are faint and pale with honey breath, Honey and poppy! as her mouth hot-tongued 89