The Watch

Now twice my watch have I taken, And twice as I've gazing sat, The hand has pointed unshaken To one--and it's long past that!

The clock's light cadences linger. The sun-dial laughs from the lawn, And points with a long, gaunt finger The path that its shade has drawn.

A steeple ironically Calls the true time to me. The belfry bell makes tally And taunts me with accents free.

Ah, dead is the wretch! I sought not, Last night, to my reverie sold, Its ruby circle! I thought not Of glimmering key of gold!

No longer I see with pleasure The spring of the balance-wheel Flit hither and there at measure, Like a butterfly form of steel.

When Hippogriff bears me, yearning, Through skies of another sphere, My soul-reft body goes turning Wherever the steed may veer.

Eternity still is giving Its gaze to the lifeless face. Time seeketh the heart once living, His ear at the old watch-case,--

That heart whose regular motion Was followed within my breast By wave-beats of life's full ocean! Ah well! the watch is at rest.

But its brother is beating ever, Steadfast and sturdy kept By One Who forgetteth never,-- Who wound it the while I slept.