But they writhed from my hands and hissed,

In their hearts were a serpent's eyes.

And my soul said, "Pleasure is she.

The joys of the flesh you see."

Then I bowed with a heart too weary,

That longed to rest, to sleep;

And it seemed in the darkness dreary

I heard my sad heart weep;

And my soul to the silence say,—

"O God! for the break of day!"