When the Leaves Come Out/The Eunuch
THE EUNUCH
(To those who will not, dare not, cannot—rebel.)
Once a Eunuch by the palace
In the fading sunset glow,
Felt the warm soft breezes blow;
Watched the fair girls of the harem
Idly saunter to and fro.
Saw he beauty young and lavish
Fierce to lure man's every sense . . . ,
(Grim the Eunuch stood and tense.)
Laughingly the sparkling fountain
Mocked his bleak incompetence.
Came the Sultan from his hunting
Flaming with the zest of life;
(Laid aside were spear and knife;)
Came for wine and song and feasting,
Came to seek his fairest wife.
Opened then the marble portals;
Fragrant incense filled the air,
(Sandalwood and roses rare,)
While the girls with red-lipped languor
Scattered flowers everywhere.
Far away the fabled mountains
(Like some paradise of old)
Glowed with lavender and gold;
Tense the Eunuch stood and silent—
Tense and sullen, tense and cold.
Now a quick impotent fury
Lashed him like a bronze-tipped cord.
Sprang he at the youthful lord;
Sprang again with blade all bloody . . .
(Famished lust and dripping sword!)
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Jackals trotted forth to bark.
(Murder shuddered, still and stark . . . )
By the palace ceased the fountain
And the whole grey world grew dark.