Classic Poem

When Satan found that woman's heart
Was strong and brave,
To tempting woman all his art
And subtlest thought he gave.

And since he knew that flowers are nought,
Frail gifts, wind-blown,
His hand with peerless cunning wrought
Bright deathless flowers of stone.

All forms, all colours, he combined
And sought strange ways
To lure and charm the loitering mind
And snare the greedy gaze.

One woman's soul was stainless still
The ruby came
With rays that weakened spirit and will
And conquering blood-red flame.

Another's heart was heart of steel,
Till sapphires drew
That heart to theirs with fond appeal
Of eyes of heavenly blue.

Another's heart was cold and hard:
The emerald gleamed;
Of lovers' steps on moonlit sward
That heart with passion dreamed.

Another heart resisted long:—
What heart, a girl's,
For ever can resist the song
The sea chants through its pearls?

So one by one the dark king took
The women all.
Lest any should refuse to look,
Predestined not to fall,

He set within the turquoise, bright,
The blue sky's noon,
And in the opal sunset-light
And rays of stars and moon.

But some hearts yet remained unbought,
Unbribed, unwon:
Keen Satan softly smiled, and brought
Diamonds, that held the sun.

E'en so he failed to move each will,
To bend all knees;
For woman's true soul values still
Love's diamond more than these.