Maurice Maeterlinck - Temptations lyrics

Green as the sea, temptations creep Through the shadows of the mind, Where with flaming flowers entwined Dark ejaculations leap— Stems obscure that coil and thrust In the moon's unhallowed glow, And the autumnal shadows throw Of their auguries of lust. And the moon may hardly shine Through their fevered fast embrace: Limb and slimy limb enlace, Emerald and serpentine. Sacrilegiously they grow, And their secret will reveal, Dismal as regrets that steal O'er men dying in the snow; And their mournful shadows hide Tangled wounds that mark the thrust Of the azure swords of lust In the crimson flesh of pride. When will the dreams of earth, alas, Find in my heart their final tomb? O let Thy glory, Lord, illume This dark and evil house of gla**, And that oblivion nought may win! The dead leaves of their fevers fall, The stars between their lips, and all The visceræ of woe and sin!