The Star in the West

138 THE STAR IN THE WEST psychopathic mist dims his mind , and all the love he lavished on the body of the living woman turns to a lust for her cadaver : 1 The spirit filled me . And behold ! I saw her dead stare to the skies . I came to her , she was not cold , But burning with old infamies . On her incestuous mouth I fell , And lost my soul for Jezebel . They cast her forth on Naboth's field Still living , in her harlot's dress ; Her belly stript , her thighs concealed , For shame's sake and for love's no less . Night falls ; the gaping crowds abide No longer by her stiffening side . “ Ah ! prophet , come to mock at me And gloat on mine exceeding pain ?" Nay but to give my soul to thee , And have thee spit at me again !” She smiled - I know she smiled - she sighed , Bit my lips through , and drank , and died ! My veins poured out her marriage cup , For holy water her cruel tongue ; For blessing of white hands raised up , These perfumed infamies unsung ; For God's breath , her sharp tainted breath ; For marriage - bed , the bed of death . The host is lifted up . Behold The vintage spilt , the broken bread ! I feast upon the cruel cold Pale body that was ripe and red . Only , her head , her palms , her feet , I kissed all night , and did not eat .' 1 Jezebel , vol . i, pp . 131-132 .