At nightfall the pretty Ganges wore br A black sequined satin dress and br A splendid necklace studded with br Candle-like lights on the bridge br The flickering flame of the lantern br In the boat refused to dance br To the passing wind’s death-tune br Near the jetty stood a monstrosity br Brooding over its illumined loneliness br And its cavernous stomach ached with br The darkest secrets of the high seas.