For he dreamed it was the day,

Though the dawn was far away,

And he trembled with dismay

In the desert—dark and drear.

“Dong—dong!” And the sound of a bell

Went wailing away over meadow and mere—“Ten!”

Counted aloud by the sentinel clock

On the turret of Time; and the regular beat

Of his echoing feet

Fell—like lead—on the ear—