Poems (Hooper)/Without and Within
For works with similar titles, see Without and Within.
WITHOUT AND WITHIN.
The day lies dead beneath a cloudy pall;
The wind beside her moans in mournful strain;
From the dusk fingers of the drowsy clouds
Drop slowly, one by one, the pearls of rain.
The wind beside her moans in mournful strain;
From the dusk fingers of the drowsy clouds
Drop slowly, one by one, the pearls of rain.
There is no living thing abroad on earth;
There are no stars; the clouds have quenched their light.
There is no sound except the wailing wind;
Thou, world without, art dark and drear to-night!
There are no stars; the clouds have quenched their light.
There is no sound except the wailing wind;
Thou, world without, art dark and drear to-night!
Yet not so dreary as mine inner world.
Beside my hearth, where bright forms sat of yore,
Sits a pale shadow, mutt'ring with white lips:
"My name is Sorrow—we shall part no more!"
Beside my hearth, where bright forms sat of yore,
Sits a pale shadow, mutt'ring with white lips:
"My name is Sorrow—we shall part no more!"
Who are the blest ones in this world of ours?
The silent dead in very truth are blest.
The marble portal, closed by Death's cold hand,
Shuts out all sorrow, and doth shut in rest.
The silent dead in very truth are blest.
The marble portal, closed by Death's cold hand,
Shuts out all sorrow, and doth shut in rest.
Blest the distraught! To them come phantoms bright,
Lighting with alien torch the darkened brain.
Alas! alas! the melancholy thoughts!
That follow ceaseless as the drops of rain.
Lighting with alien torch the darkened brain.
Alas! alas! the melancholy thoughts!
That follow ceaseless as the drops of rain.