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Hath brought me from the chamber where my friends Are now lamenting round my lifeless body,

And 'tis thy spirit which before mine eyes Thy body's semblance wears: and thou art nothing That mortal hands may touch or arms encircle! O look not on me with that fixed look! Thou lov'st me still, else thou hadst not been here, And yet I fear thee.

Fear me not, dear Alice! I yearn'd to look upon thee ere I pass That gulf which parts the living from the dead: And I have words to utter which thine ear Must listen to, thy mind retain distinctly.

Say what thou wilt; thou art a blessed spirit, And cannot do me harm.— I know it well; but let thy words be few; The fears of nature are increasing on me. (Bending one knee to the ground.) O God! Lord of all beings, dead and living! Strengthen and keep me in this awful hour!

And to thy fervent prayer I say, Amen.