172
The House of Shadows.
Not even a fragment of arras Hung from the bald blank wall,Nor a bit of ancient carving— Bare, carpetless, desolate all!
Shadowy feet seemed to follow me; Hark to a shutting door!I paused, looked backward to listen, That sound I had heard before.Well I knew the click of the latch, Too well I recalled that sound;It opened a chamber of memory, Into a silence profound.
I went to that room and entered, Then closed the door after me;A flood of tears drown'd the shadows— These shadows so haunting me.The moon her last arrow shivered, And flung it down on the floor,And a strain of heav'nly music Burst through the closéd door.
At length my sad dream was over, My sorrow these shadows had cast—I would not now back recall her, That wish is for ever past;
