“IN
EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL !”
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Long
time one whisper’d in his ear—
“Give me thy strong,
pure soul; behold
’Tis mine to give what men hold dear—
The treasure of red gold.”
“I bribe thee not with crown and throne,
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5 |
Pale
spectres they of kingly pow’r!
I give thee gold—red gold alone
Can crown a king each hour!”
He frown’d, perchance he felt a throe,
Gold-hunger gnawing at his
heart—
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10 |
A
passing pang—for, stern and low,
He bade the fiend depart!
Again there came the voice and said:
“Gold for that soul
of thine were shame;
Thine be that thing for which have bled
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15 |
Both Gods and men,—high
Fame.
“And in long ages yet to sweep
Their gloom and glory on
the day;
When mould’ring kings, forgot, shall sleep
In ashes, dust, and clay:
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20 |
“Thy name shall, starlike, pulse and burn
On heights most Godlike;
and divine,
Immortal bays thy funereal urn
Shall lastingly entwine!”
[Page 109]
He sigh’d; perchance he felt the thrill,
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25 |
The
answ’ring pulse to Fame’s high call;
But answer made his steadfast will—
“I will not be they
thrall!”
Again there came the voice and cried:
“Dost thou my kingly
bribes disdain?
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30 |
Yet
shalt thou barter soul and pride
For things ignobly vain!
“Two shameless eyes—two false, sweet
eyes—
A sinful brow of sinless
white,
Shall hurl thy soul from high clear skies
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35 |
To
ME, and Stygian night.
“Beneath the spell of gilded hair,
Thy palms, like sickly weeds,
shall die!
God-strong Resolves, a sensuous air
Shall mock and crucify.
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40 |
“Go to! my thrall at last thou art!
Ere bud to rounded blossom
change;
Thou wilt for wanton lips and heart
Most false, thy soul exchange!”
[Page 110]
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