The crystal flame, the ruby flame , Alluring, dancing, revelling! See them: and ask me not, whence came The crystal flame, the ruby flame, This cup I bring. Alluring, dancing, revelling! See them: and ask me not, whence came This cup I bring. But only watch the wild wine glow, But only taste its fragrance: then, Drink the wild drink I bring, and so But only watch the wild wine glow, Reign among men. But only taste its fragrance: then, Drink the wild drink I bring, and so Reign among men. Only one sting, and then but joy: One pang of fire, and thou art free. Then, what thou wilt, thou canst destroy: Only one sting, and then but joy: Save only me! One pang of fire, and thou art free. Then, what thou wilt, thou canst destroy: Save only me! Triumph in tumult of thy lust: Wanton in passion of thy will: Cry Peace! to conscience, and it must Triumph in tumult of thy lust: At last be still. Wanton in passion of thy will: Cry Peace! to conscience, and it must At last be still. I am the Prince of this World: I Command the flames, command the fires. Mine are the draughts, that satisfy I am the Prince of this World: I This World's desires. Command the flames, command the fires. Mine are the draughts, that satisfy This World's desires. Thy longing leans across the brink: Ah, the brave thirst within thine eyes! For there is that within this drink, Thy longing leans across the brink: Which never dies. Ah, the brave thirst within thine eyes! -1893 For there is that within this drink, Which never dies. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HOUSE OF DUST: 1 by CONRAD AIKEN DELUSION by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MADMAN OF THE SOUTH SIDE by CLARENCE MAJOR WIDOW MALONE by CHARLES JAMES LEVER SONNET: 18 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 28 by ALFRED TENNYSON |