Shone with a large fierce splendor, wildly bright,

The crooked constellations of the South;

Here the Cross swung; and there, affronting Mars,

The Centaur stormed aside a froth of stars.

Within, great casks like wattled aldermen

Sighed of enormous feasts, and cloth of gold

Glowed on the walls like hot desire. Again,

Beside webbed purples from some galleon’s hold,

A black chest bore the skull and bones in white

Above a scrawled “Gunpowder!” By the flames,