Who never wanted－maddest Joy 1
Remains to him unknown－
The Banquet of Abstemiousness
Defaces that of Wine－
Within its reach, though yet ungrasped 5
Desire's perfect Goal－
No nearer－lest the Actual－
Should disentrall thy soul－
Remains to him unknown－
The Banquet of Abstemiousness
Defaces that of Wine－
Within its reach, though yet ungrasped 5
Desire's perfect Goal－
No nearer－lest the Actual－
Should disentrall thy soul－
(F.1447/J.1430)
[1–8]:: This poem is about The Monk (1796) by Matthew Gregory Lewis. Ambrosio the monk was seduced by Matilda, disguised as a boy named Rosario. Ambrosio lost his soul to the devil at the end.
[1] maddest Joy:: a hint on Maltida, who provided the maddest joy to the monk, to rape and murder his sister Antonia.
[2] Remains to:: an anagram of Rosario, the boy seduced Ambrosio. him unknown:: an anagram of monk, who didn't know Rosario was Maltida's disguise.
[3] Abstemiousness:: a hint on Ambrosio, the abstemious monk.