SEDUCTION

by: Harold Greenthal

HE Lily swayed coquettishly,

And the Rose,

Whom the murky night had left

Drunk with dew,

Was fired with desire,

And the passion burned his cheeks.

 

He bent lover-like

Over the virgin Lily,

And his green arms,

Quivering amorously in the breeze,

Slipped 'round her dainty waist,

And her lithe body shook with emotion.

She raised her drooping head,

And held her fresh young lips to his!

 

The lustful Rose

Now strained her close,

And the virgin Lily struggled

As though she were being violated,

Yet, yielding graciously the next instant,

Swung wantonly against her lover!...

 

Suddenly they quiet grew,

And slowly disentangled

Leaf from leaf,

And drew apart,

The Violets, quidnuncs every one,

Had looked on all the while

And passed the scandal to the Larks;

Narcissus, becoming inflamed,

Embraced himself

With quite unnatural ardor.

But the ravished Lily

Hung her head in shame

And tried to hide

The tiny bits of gold

That lay sprinkled

Here and there

Along her happy petals.

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