Classic Poem

(With Apologies to J. A. Symonds)

They fable how the venom that a snake
Once swallowed with a toad, gave growth and gain;
How, by the torture of continual pain
It caused half-dormant faculties to wake,
And pinions with a gradual birth to break
From the dark latency where they had lain,
Until the serpent-lethargy was slain,
And a live dragon mimic wings could shake.

And whoso eateth of Sin's poisoned fruit
Acquireth dragon-wings and dragon-breath,
And dragon-like alive, alert may be.
Nathless, such wings are but a parachute
To float him gently down the dark to earth,
A miserable black monstrosity.