Читать книгу A Book of Christian Sonnets - william Allen - Страница 37

33. MEXICAN IDOL.

Of giant height, carv'd from basaltic block,

Two snakes the monster bears for arms and hands;

On either side a vulture's wing expands;

The noble face of man its features mock.

Beneath, the fangs of Rattlesnake unlock;

On Tiger's claws the fearful idol stands;

Men's hearts and skull do make his necklace bands;—

Meet ornaments, that ev'ry gazer shock!

Here is the form of true idolatry!

Worship of serpent—vulture—tiger god—

Curst Lucifer, the rebel flung to hell!

Can Christians to such idol bow the knee?

The idol War is such; thus cloth'd, thus shod,

Inwreath'd with skulls, hissing with malice fell!