Years I had been from home, br And now, before the door br I dared not open, lest a face br I never saw before br br Stare vacant into mine br And ask my business there. br My business, - just a life I left, br Was such still dwelling there? br br I fumbled at my nerve, br I scanned the windows near; br The silence like an ocean rolled, br And broke against my ear. br br I laughed a wooden laugh br That I could fear a door, br Who danger and the dead had faced, br But never quaked before. br br I fitted to the latch br My hand, with trembling care, br Lest back the awful door should spring, br And leave me standing there. br br I moved my fingers off br As cautiously as glass, br And held my ears, and like a thief br Fled gasping from the house.