In a dim corner of my room for longer than my fancy thinks + 

A beautiful and silent Sphinx has watched me through the shifting gloom. + 

Inviolate and immobile she does not rise she does not stir + 

For silver moons are naught to her and naught to her the suns that reel. + 

Red follows grey across the air, the waves of moonlight ebb and flow + 

But with the Dawn she does not go and in the night-time she is there. + 

Dawn follows Dawn and Nights grow old and all the while this curious cat + 

Lies couching on the Chinese mat with eyes of satin rimmed with gold. + 

Upon the mat she lies and leers and on the tawny throat of her + 

Flutters the soft and silky fur or ripples to her pointed ears. + 

Come forth, my lovely seneschal! so somnolent, so statuesque! + 

Come forth you exquisite grotesque! half woman and half animal! + 

Come forth my lovely languorous Sphinx! and put your head upon my knee! + 

And let me stroke your throat and see your body spotted like the Lynx! + 

And let me touch those curving claws of yellow ivory and grasp + 

The tail that like a monstrous Asp coils round your heavy velvet paws! + 