Yesterdays — Presentiment

But the sun has set, and a dead delight Shadows my life with a dull despair, Oh why did I see that hand of white, Like a marble ornament lying there?

PRESENTIMENT

As unseen spheres cast shadows on the Earth Some unknown cause depresses me to-night.

The house is full of laughter and sweet mirth, The day has held but pleasure and delight.

Down in the parlour some one blithely sings;

A chime of laughter echoes in the hall;

But all unseen by other eyes, strange things Rat-like do seem to glide along the wall.

I rise, and laugh, and say I will not care;

I call them idle fancies, one and all.

And yet, suspended by a single hair, The sword of Fate seems trembling soon to fall.

I leave the house, and walk the lighted street;

And mingle with the pleasure-seeking throng.

And close behind me follow spectre feet That pause with me, or with me move along.

I seek my room, and close and bolt the door;

I draw the curtain, and turn up the light;

But close beside me, closer than before, This nameless _something_ stands, but out of sight.

Ye mystic messenger of woe to come, Ye nameless nothing called 'Presentiment,' Take form and face me; be no longer dumb, But tell who thou art, and wherefore sent.

TWO ROOMS