VII
Listen well to what I say,
These are the names of demons gray.
Smiling-Lip whose teeth are strong.
Friendly-Hand, whose claws are long.
Passionate-Eye, whose glare is fire.
Kiss-of-Joy, who lives in mire.
These are the names of demon foes
Who taught the Devil all he knows.
The lips of desire smile to hide
The teeth of fierce oppression inside.
The hand that gives and gives alway
Only waits a time to slay.
The eyes that woo with a fiery stare
Are the eyes that roam anywhere.
The kiss that is quick, and mad, and sweet
Rolls the gutters along the street.
Beware of lips when smiling bland,
Beware the gifts in a friendly hand,
Beware the passionate eyes that woo,
The sweetest kiss is the kiss to rue:
A laugh is a lie and the truth a blow,
— But you won't heed me whether or no.
The Hill of Vision [1912]
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