Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/52

Lacerate all his gory frame; he writhes
In agony; for every living wound
Men have inflamed with diabolic art!

A pomp barbarian reigneth everywhere.
Nobles are slung in hammocks of rich silk,
Turban'd, and motley'd with qnaint ornament;
Or rest their gold-encnmber'd arms on heads
Of yonng lithe favourites, wearing cloth of gold;
Velvety smooth boys, eyed with slumbrous fire;
While others flirt long gold-bound elephant-tails.
Nigh to the monarch squats a hideous dwarf;
And a white negro with two small pink eyes.
There is a trampling of arm'd cavalry;
Barbs in rich mail, brightly caparison'd,
Mounted by swarthy horsemen, champ the bit,
Their riders quivering bronze assegais.
Hearken! lewd revelry of dancing slaves,
Clashing with cymbal, tabor, castanet. . .