Near and Far (Blunden)/Ornamentations
Ornamentations
The curving cranes with serpent necks Knotted on these enamelled streams,The gloating mouths thrust out to vex The red-eyed war-gods' frenzy dreams,The inscrutable and dog-like grinOf demi-lions lock me in!
With countless crafty manacles Dead men's dexterity strives to bind,Like some machine that all but feels, The amazed and apathizing mind.Cornices, crannies, shape in shape,Bud glittering eyes, defy escape.
Heavily hangs this haughty air, Drum, knell and drone commingling slow;Claw-tendrils reach, man-monsters glare; The victim heart prepares to knowArt's terror, dragon genius—tillThought spies one rose or daffodil.