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Until there crept uponA Chill—like frost upon a Glass—Till all the scene—be gone.The Forehead copied Stone—The Fingers grew too coldTo ache—and like a Skater’s Brook—The busy eyes—congealed—It straightened—that was all—It crowded Cold to Cold—It multiplied indifference—As Pride were all it could—And even when with Cords—‘Twas lowered, like a Weight—It made no Signal, nor demurred,But dropped…

So I get home – ’twill compensate—Better will be the EcstasyThat they have done expecting me—When Night—descending—dumb—and dark—They hear my unexpected knock—Transporting must the moment be—Brewed from decades of Agony!To think just how the fire will burn—Just how long-cheated eyes will turn—To wonder what myself will say,And what itself, will say to me—Beguiles the Centuries…

My premium—My Bliss—An Admiralty, less—A Sceptre—penniless—And Realms—just Dross—When Thrones accost my Hands—With ‘Me, Miss, Me’—I’ll unroll Thee—Dominions dowerless—beside this Grace—Election—Vote—The Ballots of Eternity, will show just that.

Traced azure on her hand—Til pleading, round her quiet eyesThe purple Crayons stand.Till Daffodils had come and goneI cannot tell the sum,And then she ceased to bear it—And with the Saints sat down.No more her patient figureAt twilight soft to meet—No more her timid bonnetUpon the village street—But Crowns instead, and Courtiers—And in the midst…

To the failing EyeI could hold the latest Glowing—Robbed by LibertyFor Her Jugular Defences—This, too, I endured—Hint of Glory—it afforded—For the Brave Beloved—Fraud of Distance—Fraud of Danger,Fraud of Death—to bear—It is Bounty—to Suspense’sVague Calamity—Stalking our entire PossessionOn a Hair’s result—Then—seesawing—coolly—on it—Trying if it split—

Is not so ample as the breastThese emerald seams enclose.Step lofty; for this name is toldAs far as cannon dwell,Or flag subsist, or fame exportHer deathless syllable.