Page:Prometheus bound - Browning (1833).djvu/115

 The dead—the dead lay there! I could not view (For Night espoused the storm, and made all dark) Its features, but the lightning in his course Shiver'd above a white and corpse-like heap, Stretch'd in the path, as if to show his prey, And have a triumph ere he pass'd. Then I Crouch'd down upon the ground, and groped about Until I touch'd that thing of flesh, rain-drench'd, And chill, and soft. Nathless, I did refrain My soul from natural horror! I did lift The heavy head, half-bedded in the clay. Unto my knee; and pass'd my fingers o'er The wet face, touching every lineament, Until I found the brow; and chafed its chill, To know if life yet linger'd in its pulse. And while I was so busied, there did leap From out the entrails of the firmament, The lightning, who his white unblenching breath Blew in the dead man's face, discovering it