The one unfaltering foe of humankind[1]
Which all that's human to the death, must fight.
With thee weak tenderness must make no truce,
Parley with thee were pity's mere abuse.
The hand that halts, the sword that shrinks or spares,
But lets the Gorgon's snaky offspring loose.
Gorgon or Demogorgon! "Dreaded name!"[2]
Yet dread of thee were but disastrous shame.
Fear is thy hope, and, fronting thee, to fear,
Is but to court disaster and disfame.