And, the last day being come, Man stood alone br Ere sunrise on the world's dismantled verge, br Awaiting how from everywhere should urge br The Coming of the Lord. And, behold, none br br Did come, -- but indistinct from every realm br Of earth and air and water, growing more br And louder, shriller, heavier, a roar br Up the dun atmosphere did overwhelm br br His ears; and as he looked affrighted round br Every manner of beast innumerable br All thro' the shadows crying grew, until br The wailing was like grass upon the ground. br br Asudden then within his human side br Their anguish, since the goad he wielded first, br And, since he gave them not to drink, their thirst, br Darted compressed and vital. -- As he died, br br Low in the East now lighting gorgeously br He saw the last sea-serpent iris-mailed br Which, with a spear transfixèd, yet availed br To pluck the sun down into the dead sea.