Though creeping Fear still gnaws like pain
The hollow of her brain.
She must have some sly plan, the cheat,
To lie so still. The beat
That once throbbed like a muffled drum
With fear to hear me come,
Now never sounds when I creep nigh.
Oh! she was always sly.
And if to spite her, I dared steal
Behind her bed, and feel
With fumbling fingers for her heart ...
Ere I could touch the smart,
Once more wild shriek on shriek would tear
The dumb and shuddering air....
And still she never speaks to me.
She only smiles to see
How in dark corners secret-sly
New-born Eternity,
All spider-like, doth spin and cast
Strange threads to hold Time fast.