Temptation

They fill the old stone tower, Shadows dancing on the walls, And the smoking pit befalls Those who listen to their whisperings, As to mortals they do call, For their figures are black magic Which no mortal man may touch With his eyes of fleeting dust--- And the men stand pale and shaking, Lest they look, and see too much; And the tower now is crowded With forgotten things of yore--- Things no man has seen before, Or will e’er see in the future, If his life he values more. But ‘tis not an easy task, That of keeping shut their eyes, For the spirits, as a prize, Do their best to claim a mortal With their ancient, damning lies--- With their voices sweet and lovely They the fragile men entice, Telling them there is no price For a lifting of the eyelids And a glimpse of their demise. And the case has been the same Ever since, with longing look, Woman fruit forbidden took When the firstborn of the demons Snared her with his scaly hook. And the evil in the tower, Growing hungrier each day, Waits for simple Man to stray--- Waits and watches, ever yearning, For man’s heart to have its way.