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1 Oh! what a pain is here! All through the night I yearned for power, and nursed rebellious scorn, Striving against high heaven in hot despite Of feeble nerves and will by passion torn. I dreamed; and on the curtain of the gloom False memory drew an idyll of old hope, Singing a lullaby to mock my doom With love far off and joy beyond my scope. I woke; the present seemed more sad than hell; On daily tasks my sullen soul I cast; But, as I worked, a deeper sorrow fell Like thunder on my spirit, for he passed Before the house with wondering wide blue eye That said " I wait: why will you not reply? " 2 My heart was hot and answered " What might be! Love, peace, content, the brotherhood of strength; He offers it of all convention free: Wilt thou not take and eat and rest at length? His brow is framed of beauty, and his soul Sits throned within his eyelids orbed in light; And from his parted lips harmonious roll Full floods of music, rivers of delight! " Oh, heart! false heart! why tear'st thou me again? " To touch, to handle, stretching forth thy palm; To sleep forgetful of sharp self-disdain: It were so easy, and so sweet the calm! " Calm as the dead salt sea; easy as sin; Sweet as love-apples hiding dust within.
