In childhood's twilight, Lily did I love,

Who minded not my count'nance dark and dour,

Nor all my reticence, but--woe the hour!

This rasping tongue in mud her heart did shove.

For purity of blood I held above

All things. A Viper's den I made my bow'r.

I slithered into Darkness seeking pow'r--

I thought to conquer Death! Oh, how I strove

To please him! Oh, and how it was repaid,

My dog'd devotion! From the Sybil's dreams

I fled, the ratty whisperer to foil.

Alas, too late, my Lily twice betrayed,

My plea for life accompanied by her screams.

In penance, now for her child's sake I toil.