Beneath a forest’s darkling plume⁠—

In that communion of the heart

Which but the wretched can assume.

They seemed in earnest converse there,

As if with words to quench despair;

And one, along whose features grew,

A withering, deathly, demon-hue,

Wore that high, dread, defying look

Which but the Lost can dare to brook;

The other milder seemed—but he