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BALAUSTION'S ADVENTURE.
But trying all in turn, the friendly list,Why, he found no one, none who loved so much,Nor father, nor the aged mother's selfThat bore him, no, not any save his wife,Willing to die instead of him and watchNever a sunrise nor a sunset more:And she is even now within the house,Upborne by pitying hands, the feeble frameGasping its last of life out; since to-dayDestiny is accomplished, and she dies,And I, lest here pollution light on me,Leave, as ye witness, all my wonted joyIn this dear dwelling. Ay,—for here comes DeathClose on us of a sudden! who, pale priestOf the mute people, means to bear his preyTo the house of Hades. The symmetric step!How he treads true to time and place and thing,Dogging day, hour and minute, for death's-due!"
