Without a single speck or hair Of white upon his shaggy hide. They snort, they foam, neigh, swerve aside, 675 By instinct, from a human eye. They left me there to my despair, Relieved from that unwonted weight, I little deem'd another day 680 Would see my houseless, helpless head. "And there from morn to twilight bound, I felt the heavy hours toil round, 685 And, strange to say, the sons of pleasure, Hath nought to hope, and nought to leave; 710 And, save the future, (which is view'd Not quite as men are base or good, But as their nerves may be endued,) With nought perhaps to grieve: The wretch still hopes his woes must end, 715 And Death, whom he should deem his friend, But bright, and long, and beckoning years, Seen dazzling through the mist of tears, 725 Guerdon of many a painful hour; To-morrow would have given him power 1 Compare this description with that given in sections IX. and X. of The Prisoner of Chillon. And there between me and the sun I saw the expecting raven fly, Who scarce would wait till both should die, Ere his repast begun; He flew, and perch'd, then flew once more, 740 I saw his wing through twilight flit, And once so near me he alit I could have smote, but lack'd the strength; But fail'd-and she approach'd, and made I must not strive as yet to break The silence, till my strength should be And gently oped the door, and spake But those she call'd were not awake, And she went forth; but, ere she pass'd, Another look on me she cast, Another sign she made, to say, That I had nought to fear, that all Were near, at my command or call, 790 795 800 |