And, the Last Day Being Come, Man Stood Alone

And, the last day being come, Man stood alone

Ere sunrise on the world’s dismantled verge,

Awaiting how from everywhere should urge

The Coming of the Lord. And, behold, none

Did come,—but indistinct from every realm

Of earth and air and water, growing more

And louder, shriller, heavier, a roar

Up the dun atmosphere did overwhelm

His ears; and as he looked affrighted round

Every manner of beast innumerable

All thro’ the shadows crying grew, until

The wailing was like grass upon the ground.

Asudden then within his human side

Their anguish, since the goad he wielded first,

And, since he gave them not to drink, their thirst,

Darted compressed and vital.—As he died,

Low in the East now lighting gorgeously

He saw the last sea-serpent iris-mailed

Which, with a spear transfixèd, yet availed

To pluck the sun down into the dead sea.