We two kept house, the Past and I, br The Past and I; br I tended while it hovered nigh, br Leaving me never alone. br It was a spectral housekeeping br Where fell no jarring tone, br As strange, as still a housekeeping br As ever has been known. br br As daily I went up the stair, br And down the stair, br I did not mind the Bygone there -- br The Present once to me; br Its moving meek companionship br I wished might ever be, br There was in that companionship br Something of ecstasy. br br It dwelt with me just as it was, br Just as it was br When first its prospects gave me pause br In wayward wanderings, br Before the years had torn old troths br As they tear all sweet things, br Before gaunt griefs had torn old troths br And dulled old rapturings. br br And then its form began to fade, br Began to fade, br Its gentle echoes faintlier played br At eves upon my ear br Than when the autumn's look embrowned br The lonely chambers here, br The autumn's settling shades embrowned br Nooks that it haunted near. br br And so with time my vision less, br Yea, less and less br Makes of that Past my housemistress, br It dwindles in my eye; br It looms a far-off skeleton br And not a comrade nigh, br A fitful far-off skeleton br Dimming as days draw by.