And bade the flood-gate of my heart give way—

Then shut it down upon its streams for aye.

We sought to speak, yet neither said farewell;

Fate rung her larum through my spirit’s cell

Until the chill of death upon me lay.

I never could relive that hour again:

Through every artery shot an icy pang,

As if an adder pierced me with its fang,

And dashed the roseate fount of life with bane.

My eyes were open, yet I could not see—