The watchers at heaven's gate, push'd them apart,

And from the golden threshold had down-roll'd

Their heaviest thunder, I had lain as still,

And blind and motionless as then I lay!

White as quench'd ashes, cold as were the hopes

Of my lorn love! What happy air shall woo

The wither'd leaf fall'n in the woods, or blasted

Upon this bough? a lightning stroke had come

Even from that Heaven in whose light I bloom'd

And taken away the greenness of my life,