As evening shaped I found me on a moor Which sight could scarce sustain:
The black lean land, of featureless contour, Was like a tract in pain.
"This scene, like my own life," I said, "is one Where many glooms abide;Toned by its fortune to a deadly dun -
Lightless on every side.
I glanced aloft and halted, pleasure-caught To see the contrast there:
The ray-lit clouds gleamed glory; and I thought, "There's solace everywhere!"Then bitter self-reproaches as I stood I dealt me silently As one perverse--misrepresenting Good In graceless mutiny.
Against the horizon's dim-discerned wheel A form rose, strange of mould:
That he was hideous, hopeless, I could feel Rather than could behold.
"'Tis a dead spot, where even the light lies spent To darkness!" croaked the Thing.
"Not if you look aloft!" said I, intent On my new reasoning.
"Yea--but await awhile!" he cried."Ho-ho! -Look now aloft and see!"
I looked.There, too, sat night: Heaven's radiant show Had gone.Then chuckled he.