I’d been reading bits of Hemans,

And some leaves of Jacob Behmen’s,

Two or three—perhaps a score;

And I said—“It is a Raven

Rampant just outside the door—

Striding through,” I said—and swore.

I insisted, and I twisted,

And resisted and persisted

Though they held me and, close-fisted,

Saw no Raven at the door: