A Russian officer, in martial tread

Over a heap of bodies, felt his heel

Seized fast, as if 't were by the serpent's head

Whose fangs Eve taught her human seed to feel;

In vain he kicked, and swore, and writhed, and bled,

And howled for help as wolves do for a meal—

The teeth still kept their gratifying hold,

As do the subtle snakes described of old.[II]