One calm and cloudless winter night, Under a moonless sky, Whence I had seen the gracious light Of sunset fade and die, I stood alone a little space, Where tree nor building bars Its outlook, in a desert place, The best to see the stars. No sound was in the frosty air, No light below the skies; I looked above, and unaware Looked in Medusa’s eyes:— The eyes that neither laugh nor weep, That neither hope nor fear, That neither watch nor dream nor sleep Nor sympathize nor sneer; The eyes that neither spurn nor choose Nor question nor reply, That neither pardon nor accuse, That yield not nor defy; The eyes that hide not nor reveal, That trust not nor betray, That acquiesce not nor appeal,— The eyes that never pray. O love that will not be forgot! O love that leaves alone! O love that blinds and blesses not! O love that turns to stone!
Medusa
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