I Vex Me Not with Brooding on the Years

    That were ere I drew breath： why should I then

    Distrust the darkness that may fall again

    When life is done？ Perchance in other spheres——

    Dead planets——I once tasted mortal tears，

    And walked as now among a throng² of men，

    Pondering things that lay beyond my ken³，

    Questioning death， and solacing⁴ my fears.

    Ofttimes indeed strange sense have I of this，

    Vague memories that hold me with a spell，

    Touches of unseen lips upon my brow，

    Breathing some incommunicable bliss⁵！

    In years foregone， O Soul， was all not well？

    Still lovelier life awaits thee. Fear not thou！