Under The Sheet

What a terrible night!    Does the Night, I wonder -
    The Night, with her black veil down to her feet
Like an ordained nun, know what lies under
    That awful, motionless, snow-white sheet?
The winds seem crazed, and, wildly howling,
    Over the sad earth blindly go.
Do they and the dark clouds over them scowling,
    Do they dream or know?

Why, here in the room, not a week or over -
    Tho' it must be a week, not more than one -
(I cannot recken of late or discover
    When one day is ended or one begun),
But here in this room we were laughing lightly,
    And glad was the measure our two hearts beat;
And the royal face that was smiling so brightly
    Lies under that sheet.

I know not why - it is strange and fearful,
    But I am afraid of her, lying there;
She who was always so gay and cheerful,
    Lying so still with that stony stare:
She who was so like some grand sultana,
    Fond of colour and glow and heat,
To lie there clothed in that awful manner
    In a stark white sheet.

She who was made out of summer blisses,
    Tropical, beautiful, gracious, fair,
To lie and stare at my fondest kisses -
    God! no wonder it whitens my hair
Shriek, O wind! for the world is lonely;
    Trail cloud-veil to the nun Night's feet!
For all that I prize in life is only
    A shape and a sheet.