Poems and Ballads (third series)/Caliban on Ariel

by Algernon Charles Swinburne

CALIBAN ON ARIEL.

'His backward voice is to utter foul speeches and to detract.'

 

The tongue is loosed of that most lying slave,
Whom stripes may move, not kindness. Listen: 'Lo,
The real god of song, Lord Stephano,
That's a brave god, if ever god were brave,
And bears celestial liquor: but,' the knave
(A most ridiculous monster) howls, 'we know
From Ariel's lips what springs of poison flow,
The chicken-heart blasphemer! Hear him rave!'

Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself
Upon thy wicked dam, the witch whose name
Is darkness, and the sun her eyes' offence,
Though hell's hot sewerage breed no loathlier elf,
Men cry not shame upon thee, seeing thy shame
So perfect: they but bid thee—'Hag-seed, hence!'