Fear

Calm contentment,

In the most placid heart,

Would soon, with hate, be raging,

In a fearful tempest!

Though now they feasted,

With food, drink, and songs galore,

That night was ill-fated,

For they would; such joy, feel no more.

I too had no knowledge,

Of how fortunes wheel would turn;

That this heavenly paradise,

Would soon, in hellish fires burn!

For, I too would not have slumbered,

If, I could, but only, comprehend,

That these hours of joy were numbered,

Moving; towards a fatal end.

And indeed, as on the bed, I lay startled,

I had, almost from every reason, parted.

As, I, towards, a flaming door, did lunge,

My heart, in a fearful ocean, did plunge.

And in my mind,

Why, such gloomy thoughts? Did I ask?

Had, I, myself, a tragedy brought?

What fate would, they, my brethren find?

Who still in ignorance, jealousy and hatred lay?

In pitiful drops, I did my sorrow display.

Yet, as fear retreated,

Logic did advance;

The mind, with a prospect, entreated,

As I stood entranced!