No more on Baiae! Would that earth might burst

Spewing blear doom upon this world accursed

With truth too big for hiding!

See! He sleeps

Beside her, and the shame-dimmed lamp-light creeps

Across her wine-stained mouth—so red—so red—

Like mother blood!—See! hissing round her head

Foul hate-fanged vipers that he calls her hair!

Ah no—beyond all speaking is she fair!

Sweet as a sword-wound in a gasping foe