University of Virginia Library

['Twas in the twilight once—and Sorrow's shadow lay]

'Twas in the twilight once—and Sorrow's shadow lay
Heavily on my mind—
I knew not whence she came, nor why,
Where she could entrance find—
It was as creeping Mists diffuse them o'er the sky
With progress unperceived and mute,
And sweep the stars away!
A moment back, and every star,
Most faintly palpitating in remotest cell,
Minutely trembling with delight irregular,
Might be discovered well!
Now, all is one dim, wide, unbroken shroud,
No shape distinct, no form of Cloud!
So stole upon my heart that deeply-brooding Shade
And all its stars unrayed;
Yet seemed no Grief particular in kind,
No single feeling certainly displayed,
No sad thought well-defined!
The fire was burning faint and low—
The bubbling flames meandering slow,
Their quiet converse held;
The falling coals at intervals a crumbling murmur made;
Upon the dusky ceiling, to and fro,
The shadow of the chimney-piece
With fitful throbbing played—
The ceiling's glimmer answered still the flitting flame below;
So the harmonious workings of the Brain
Keep time and tune, in thought and strain,
With every feeling which the Heart doth burningly contain!
As in the silence, deep, distinct,
I listened to the quiet fire [OMITTED]