Of losing something which he held so dear;
Yet—now—when, startled at her prophet-cries,
To hers he turned his stricken, stone-like eyes,
And o'er her cheek declined his blighted head.
He saw Death write on it the fatal red—
He saw, and straightway sank his spirit's light
Into the sunless twilight of the starless night!
'While he sat, shaken by his sudden shock,
Again—and with an earnestness—she spoke,
As if the world of her Creator shone