 | Later Lyrics |  |
223
NIGHT-MUSINGS.
I walk the lonely roofs at night,
The roof-tree creaking as I go;
A farthing taper gives me light,
And monstrous darkness sits below.
The roof-tree creaking as I go;
A farthing taper gives me light,
And monstrous darkness sits below.
What spell is in these feet of mine
That binds them so to beat the air?
What tears are in my blood, or wine,
That will not yield to sleep or prayer?
That binds them so to beat the air?
What tears are in my blood, or wine,
That will not yield to sleep or prayer?
Ah me! the day brought sleep enough;
Its humming pulses drowsed my soul;
My ways were spun of funeral stuff,
And every meal was death and dole.
Its humming pulses drowsed my soul;
My ways were spun of funeral stuff,
And every meal was death and dole.
224
But now my measured footstep seems
A chariot, drawn by burning doves;
Or now my fancy climbs in dreams
A ladder of transfigured loves.
A chariot, drawn by burning doves;
Or now my fancy climbs in dreams
A ladder of transfigured loves.
Or now I stand as Jacob stood,
Matched hand to hand, and knee to knee:
Thou unknown Fate, declare thy good!
Answer, and I will set thee free.
Matched hand to hand, and knee to knee:
Thou unknown Fate, declare thy good!
Answer, and I will set thee free.
And now I walk a garden bed,
Whose flowers contend with fervent airs;
And each fair bell that lifts its head
A look of loved remembrance wears.
Whose flowers contend with fervent airs;
And each fair bell that lifts its head
A look of loved remembrance wears.
Or, last, I sit in some strange isle,
Unsexed by Age and Wisdom's might,
And make a pictured parchment smile
With words illegible for light.
Unsexed by Age and Wisdom's might,
And make a pictured parchment smile
With words illegible for light.
225
A slip, a shock, a distant tone!
The world's pale watchman crying woe;
I spin my thread of light alone,
And darkness whets its shears below.
The world's pale watchman crying woe;
I spin my thread of light alone,
And darkness whets its shears below.
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