Page:Betelguese, a trip through hell.djvu/85

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A TRIP THROUGH HELL
77

Peer at the caravans in prayer;

A dirge is sung by magicians;

Each Idol squints eyes at the show,

Whilst goblins curse the eerie sight.

And Betelguese, an evil lair

With infernal, warring legions,

Careens as stars shed tears of woe.


Arcadia, its pleasing name,

An Eden where the damn'd drink wine,

Where rich fêtes greet each varlet's eye,

Each gyving hound whom Fates have doomed:

Each scyphus veils a burning flame;

A blood-stone from each dome doth shine

On poisons that in goblets lie,

Bred by sorcerers, cursed and tombed.

Then Terrors, Horrors, reign supreme!

Each vial squat before the spread,

Leer at toads in goblets crossed,

Froth skinks within each feaster's glass,

Wine changed to blood, then acrid green.