The eternal gates terrific porter lifted the northern
bar:
Thel enter’d in & saw the secrets of the land
unknown;
She saw the couches of the dead, & where the fibrous
roots
Of every heart on earth infixes deep its restless
twists:
A land of sorrows & of tears where never smile was
seen.
She wandered in the land of clouds thro’ valleys
dark, listning
Dolors & lamentations: waiting oft beside the
dewy grave
She stood in silence, listning to the voices of the
ground,
Till to her own grave plot she came, & there she sat
down.
And heard this voice of sorrow breathed from the hollow
pit.
Why cannot the Ear be closed to its own destruction?
Or the glistening Eye to the poison of a smile!
Why are Eyelids stord with arrows ready drawn,
Where a thousand fighting men in ambush lie!
Or an Eye of gifts & graces showring fruits & coined
gold!
Why a Tongue impress’d with honey from every
wind?
Why an Ear, a whirlpool fierce to draw creations in?
Why a Nostril wide inhaling terror trembling & affright
Why a tender curb upon the youthful burning boy?
Why a little curtain of flesh on the bed of our desire?
The Virgin started from her seat, & with a shriek,
Fled back unhinderd till she came into the vales of
Har