SERAPHIS

He tasted dragon’s blood

From the dark dragon tree,

In those far islands where the mood

Is faery-like and free.

With cinnamon and nard

His strange gay clothes were sweet,

His lips were fanciful with fard,

Red flames played ’round his feet.

Sharp dancing pointed flames,

Detached as butterflies,

He called them all by secret names,

They were his ecstasies.

No love, no maiden bright

Might woo him from his swoon,

For he had tasted strange delight

In lands beyond the moon.