O Lucifer, Bright Prince of Sin, Teach me what ways to wander in, That I may know the grim desire That stretches man across Hell's fire. Teach me thy mandates to rehearse, Teach me the sabbath witches' curse, Show me the cloaks thy slaves have worn To stand before God's throne in scorn. Teach me the mastery of hate, Of wickedness most intricate, Of passions blacker than black flames, Of darker crimes that bear no names. I would know you throughout all time, I'd earn a Doctorate of Crime— Until, with sin quite understood, My heart might entertain the good. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON A CARRIER WHO DIED OF DRUNKENNESS by GEORGE GORDON BYRON ODE ON THE PLEASURE ARISING FROM VICISSITUDE by THOMAS GRAY TO THE DANDELION by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL RONDEL by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE |