HIS eye was stern and wild -- his cheek was pale and cold as clay; Upon his tightened lip a smile of fearful meaning lay. He mused awhile -- but not in doubt -- no trace of doubt was there; It was the steady solemn pause of resolute despair. Once more he looked upon the scroll -- once more its words he read -- Then calmly, with unflinching hand, its folds before him spread. I saw him bare his throat, and seize the blue-cold gleaming steel, And grimly try the tempered edge he was so soon to feel! A sickness crept upon my heart, and dizzy swam my head -- I could not stir -- I could not cry -- I felt benumbed and dead; Black icy horrors struck me dumb, and froze my senses o'er; I closed my eyes in utter fear, and strove to think no more. . . . . . . . . . Again I looked: a fearful change across his face had passed -- He seemed to rave -- on cheek and lip a flaky foam was cast; He raised on high the glittering blade -- then first I found a tongue -- "Hold, madman! stay thy frantic deed!" I cried, and forth I sprung; He heard me, but he heeded not; one glance around he gave, And ere I could arrest his hands, he had -- begun to @3shave!@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IMITATION OF POPE: A COMPLIMENT TO THE LADIES by WILLIAM BLAKE A CHANNEL PASSAGE by RUPERT BROOKE JOHN BROWN'S BODY by CHARLES SPRAGUE HALL THE SWAMP ANGEL by HERMAN MELVILLE FOR A DEAD LADY by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON |