THEY are withdrawn -- and they are near; No eyes -- they see; no ears -- they hear; They speak together, without sound -- They Who Look On while Time runs round! I know not where their place, their stand, Nor of the distance that is spanned, When they their influence impart -- They Who Look On and ease my heart. They ease my heart, for they can take From Life all fever, all heart-ache; In any crowd or turmoil rude, They Who Look On make Quietude. And sweetly do they send reproof To turn me from world-pride aloof; Nor any scorn can strike, nor hate -- They Who Look On so guard my state! Not safer was the hero caught In the bright veil Love round him wrought To bear him from the press of foes -- They Who Look On thus round me close. I deem they will abide with me; Perchance, apparent they will be When I shall breathe my last of breath ... They Who Look On have looked past Death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SACHEM OF THE CLOUDS (A THANKSGIVING LEGEND) by ROBERT FROST THE NEW APOCRYPHA: BERENICE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS PROGRESSIVE HEALTH by CARL DENNIS IN THE WILDERNESS by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES THE COLLEGE COLONEL by HERMAN MELVILLE A WINTER WISH by ROBERT HINCKLEY MESSINGER THE LAKE (VERSION 2) by EDGAR ALLAN POE TO MR. BARBAULD, WITH A MAP OF THE LAND OF MATRIMONY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |