That is nurse unto Death, and bent over in shame

To hide me from her the true Ægle—that came

With the words on her lips the false witch had fore-given

To make me immortal—for now I was even

At the portals of Death, who but waited the hush

Of world-sounds in my ears to cry welcome, and rush

With my soul to the banks of his black-flowing river.

Oh, would it had flown from my body forever,

Ere I listen'd those words, when I felt with a start,

The life-blood rush back in one throb to my heart,