Than Comus' cup more perilous to sup—
As snakes are worse than swine.
The poet's snake enchanted, who so flaunted her borrowed robes amidst the daffodils,
Hath piteous touches. She, from Fate's clutches, free some brief space, "escaped from so sore ills,"
Moves our compassion. But this modern fashion of Snake Enchanter looks unlovely all.
Greed's inspiration its sole fascination.
Low selfishness its thrall.
"A Serpent!" So the Sophist murmured low, and "LYCIUS' arms were empty of delight,"
LAMIA had fled! Would that some sage cool head, some modern APOLLONIUS, with the might
Of sense magnanimous, would banish thus the bestial Lamia of our later day,