Adorable snake, with a snake’s unflickering eyes,
And an intimate smile (to share which, fools have died)
And lips soft as a girl’s and like a siren’s, wise!
Devourer of youth! You are never alone by your fire,
You have always a boy there, who thinks you a goddess, ill-used,
And adores you with passion, and brings you the gifts you desire—
And the fiercer he burns, Dear, the better he keeps you amused!