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In one swift moment all was changed with me, He had vanished as the sun before him,
And like the sun he left triumphantly.
His eyes held mine – their gaze my soul to dim; Then straight-way it fell, that shadowy cloak;
My heart its recent melody no longer sung; Those hushed fears in one great torrent woke. No shadows yet remained – no echoes clung. The night had wakened from her starry sleep; The smoke-hued clouds piled in a moon-lit heap All this I looked upon – yet I saw nought,
But his words I heard – how much they taught!
“Fool! Don’t let Life fly through fingers unaware. Your grief is only vanity – renamed.
You thought of all the greatest men, who care, It seems, so little whether praised or blamed – Yet how greatly they live – how greatly die! You thought to be the least of none,
“It will not be!” he left me. I did cry
For fear. Once more he spoke, and speaking won: (Though my soul had seen such wondrous treasure, How every trice was paid for in full measure.) “Think you on all this beauty – then on grief. Think, think – Oh fool! – there’s no relief!”