His heart stood still, aghast with fear;
A wordless voice, nor far nor near,
He seemed to hear and not to hear.
'Tears kindle not the doubtful spark:
If so, why not? Of this remark
The bearings are profoundly dark.'
'Her speech,' he said, 'hath caused this pain;
Easier I count it to explain
The jargon of the howling main,
'Or, stretched beside some sedgy brook,