Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/121

Ah, spite of every urging that her hate
Did put into her lips,—so fair and great
  Seemed that accuser standing weaponless,
Yet wholly terrible with his bright speech
  As 'twere some sword of flaming holiness,
That no man dared to join her and beseech
His death; but dread came somehow upon each.

For he was surely terrible to see
So plainly sinless, so divinely free
  To judge them; being in a perfect youth,
Yet walking like an angel in a man
  Reproving all men with inspired truth.
And Herod himself spoke not, but began
To tremble: through his soul the warning ran.

—Then that Salome did put off the shame
Of her mere virgin girlhood, and became
  A woman! Then she did at once essay
Her beauty's magic, and unfold the wings
  Of her enchanted feet,—to have men say
She slew him—born indeed for wondrous things.
Her dance was fit to ruin saints or kings.