IV
After pale Death hath bidden life depart,
And laid his hand upon my wondering eyes,
Hath still'd the fiery beating of my heart,
And put to flight wing'd flocks of vague surmise;
When he hath led my feet to paths untrod,
And twin'd pale asphodel within my hair;
When he hath given in silence the dread nod
That rids me of the weight of earthly care;
When all this world of passing day and night
Gives way to one enduring, starless time;
And place is lost, nor is there any sight
Of sky or light, nor warmth of any clime:
Will any hope, or joy, or love be there,
Or self, itself, find being anywhere?
And laid his hand upon my wondering eyes,
Hath still'd the fiery beating of my heart,
And put to flight wing'd flocks of vague surmise;
When he hath led my feet to paths untrod,
And twin'd pale asphodel within my hair;
When he hath given in silence the dread nod
That rids me of the weight of earthly care;
When all this world of passing day and night
Gives way to one enduring, starless time;
And place is lost, nor is there any sight
Of sky or light, nor warmth of any clime:
Will any hope, or joy, or love be there,
Or self, itself, find being anywhere?
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