<h3> <SPAN name="eunuch"></SPAN> THE EUNUCH </h3>
<p class="t3">
(To those who fight on the side of the Powers of Darkness)</p>
<p class="poem">
Once a Eunuch by the palace<br/>
In the sunset's fading glow<br/>
Felt the soft warm breezes blow;<br/>
Watched the fair girls of the Harem<br/>
Idly saunter to and fro.<br/></p>
<p class="poem">
Saw he beauty young and lavish—<br/>
Fierce to lure man's every sense—<br/>
(Grim the Eunuch stood and tense)<br/>
Laughingly the sparkling fountain<br/>
Mocked his bleak incompetence.<br/></p>
<p class="poem">
Came the Sultan from his hunting<br/>
Flaming with the zest of life;<br/>
(Laid aside were spear and knife)<br/>
Came for wine and song and feasting,<br/>
Came to seek his fairest wife.<br/></p>
<p class="poem">
Opened then the marble portals.<br/>
Fragrant incense filled the air,<br/>
(Sandalwood and roses rare)<br/>
While the girls with red-lipped languor<br/>
Scattered flowers everywhere.<br/></p>
<p class="poem">
Far away the fabled mountains,<br/>
(Like some paradise of old)<br/>
Glowed with lavender and gold.<br/>
Tense the Eunuch stood and silent—<br/>
Tense and sullen, tense and cold.<br/></p>
<p class="poem">
Now a quick impotent fury<br/>
Lashed him like a bronze-tipped cord.<br/>
Sprang he at the youthful lord,<br/>
Sprang again with blade all bloody . . .<br/>
(Famished lust and dripping sword.)<br/></p>
<p class="poem">
* * * * *<br/></p>
<p class="poem">
Night crept on all chill and ghastly,<br/>
Jackals trotted forth to bark,<br/>
(Murder shuddered, still and stark . . .)<br/>
By the palace ceased the fountain<br/>
And the whole grey world grew dark.<br/></p>
<p><br/><br/><br/></p>
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