I see a sultry land of palm and rice Haunted by upas and malarial dust, Whene'er against the chilling world unjust I drink thy fire, oblivion to entice. Vistas of pagan gods of strange device, Mysterious worship and atrocious lust, Arise and linger, on my memory thrust With sounds of gongs and burnings of sweet spice. I see in Java's forests, when the night Burns all alive with stars, the savage priests Draining thy fire, with fragrant essence oiled; I see each motion weird, each awful rite When by thee drunk they sacrifice fell beasts And dance with cobras on nude bosoms coiled! |