Classic Poem

SCENE IV .

Then, with dark locks all filleted and spiced,
A dainty harlot boldly sauntered by,
With pretty shoulder-shrugs to please the crowds,
And tempting undulations of the hips,
And singing as she went inspiring songs
That lured the callow students from their doors,
Who greeted her with ribald words and strolled
Back to their cellars, for they had no gold,
And, lacking gold, they could possess her not.
Therefore they hated their superior's wealth,
And sneered at Vul, who would not give them love,
Ay, cursed the gods who left them without coin.

Heedless of this young lust, the harlot passed,
Imperious, crying: " Give me bricks of gold,
Or galbanum, or precious gems, and then
I will do for thee what to all I do!
I will revere thee as a god by night,
If thou art strong and if thou ownest gold! "
Then, pausing, with her lovely eyes aflame,
She wove a wreath of roses, singing thus: