Those lamps,—each a serpent of jewels and gold,—
That seemed to hiss forth the fierce flame as it rolled.
Back flashed to that ray the rich vessels that lay
Profuse on the tables in brilliant array;
And clear thro’ the crystal the glowing wine gleamed,
And dazzling the robes of the revellers seemed,
While Herod, the eagle-eyed, ruled o’er the scene,
A lion in spirit, a monarch in mien.
The goblet was foaming, the revel rose high.
There were pride and fierce joy in the haughty king’s eye,