The house was empty where you came no more;
I sat in awe and dread;
When, lo! I heard a hand that shook the door,
And knew it was the Dead.
One moment—ah!—the anguish took my side,
The fainting of the will.
“God of the living, leave me not!” I cried,
And all my flesh grew chill.
One moment; then I opened wide my heart
And open flung the door:
“What matter whence thou comest, what thou art?—
Come to me!”... Never more