John Barlas - Beauty's Anadems lyrics

A dagger-hilt crusted with flaming gems: A queen's rich girdle clasped with tiger's claws; A lady's glove or a cat's velvet paws; The whisper of a judge when he condemns; Fierce night-shade berries purple on their stems Among the rose's healthsome scarlet haws; A rainbow-sheathed snake with jagged jaws: Such are queen Beauty's sovran anadems. For she caresses with a poisoned hand, And venom hangs about her moistened lips, And plots of murder lurk with her eyes She loves lewd girls dancing a saraband The murderer stabbing till all his body drips, And thee, my gentle lady, and thy soft sighs.