Page:Carroll - Phantasmagoria and other poems (1869).djvu/115

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE THREE VOICES.
103

The Third Voice.

Not long this transport held its place:
Within a little moment's space
Quick tears were raining down his face.

His heart stood still, aghast with fear;
A wordless voice, nor far nor near,
He seemed to hear and not to hear.

"Tears kindle not the doubtful spark:
If so, why not? Of this remark
The bearings are profoundly dark."

"Her speech," he said, " hath caused this pain;
Easier I count it to explain
The jargon of the howling main,