"The Vampire" by Rudyard Kipling - Privately printed, Boston - 1898 first thus American edition -12cmx10cm - condition: very good, in original wrappers with girl and bat motif that is repeated throughout the booklet. Verso title-page: The versesâ "as suggested by the painting by Philip Burne-Jones, first exhibited at the New Gallery in London, 1897. Rare work by Kipling This haunting and macabre poem is a masterpiece of Gothic literature, a genre that revels in the darker aspects of human nature and the supernatural. At its core, "The Vampire" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of desire and the seductive power of evil. The poem tells the story of a young man who is lured into the arms of a beautiful and mysterious woman, only to discover too late that she is not what she seems. Kipling employs a variety of literary devices to create a sense of foreboding and doom throughout the poem. From the use of vivid imagery to the repetition of key phrases, each element of the poem contributes to its overall effect. Let's take a closer look at some of these devices and how they contribute to the poem's impact.