They say that poison-sprinkled flowers <br />Are sweeter in perfume <br />Than when, untouched by deadly dew, <br />They glowed in early bloom. <br /> <br />They say that men condemned to die <br />Have quaffed the sweetened wine <br />With higher relish than the juice <br />Of the untampered vine. <br /> <br />They say that in the witch's song, <br />Though rude and harsh it be, <br />There blends a wild, mysterious strain <br />Of weirdest melody. <br /> <br />And I believe the devil's voice <br />Sinks deeper in our ear <br />Than any whisper sent from Heaven, <br />However sweet and clear.<br /><br />Adam Lindsay Gordon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-fragment-7/
