I seem to see him catch convulsively

One by one at all honest forms of life,

At reason, order, decency and use—

To cramp him and get foothold by at least;

And still they disengage them from his clutch.

"What, you are he, then, had Pompilia once

And so forwent her? Take not up with us!"

And thus I see him slowly and surely edged

Off all the table-land whence life upsprings

Aspiring to be immortality,