To accompany a picture; by request. “The Valley of the Shadow of Death,” from the painting by George Inness.
Nay, do not dream, designer dark, Thou hast portray’d or hit thy theme entire; I, hoverer of late by this dark valley, by its confines, having glimpses of it, Here enter lists with thee, claiming my right to make a symbol too. For I have seen many wounded soldiers die, After dread suffering—have seen their lives pass off with smiles; And I have watch’d the death-hours of the old; and seen the infant die; The rich, with all his nurses and his doctors; And then the poor, in meagreness and poverty; And I myself for long, O Death, have breath’d my every breath Amid the nearness and the silent thought of thee.