There are wolves in the next room waiting br With heads bent low, thrust out, breathing br At nothing in the dark; between them and me br A white door patched with light from the hall br Where it seems never (so still is the house) br A man has walked from the front door to the stair. br It has all been forever. Beasts claw the floor. br I^have brooded on angels and archfiends br But no man has ever sat where the next room's br Crowded with wolves, and for the honor of man br I affirm that never have I before. Now while br I have looked for the evening star at a cold window br And whistled when Arcturus spilt his light, br I've heard the wolves scuffle, and said: So this br Is man; so-what better conclusion is there- br The day will not follow night, and the heart br Of man has a little dignity, but less patience br Than a wolf's, and a duller sense that cannot br Smell its own mortality. (This and other br Meditations will be suited to other times br After dog silence howls his epitaph.) br Now remember courage, go to the door, br Open it and see whether coiled on the bed br Or cringing by the wall, a savage beast br Maybe with golden hair, with deep eyes br Like a bearded spider on a sunlit floor br Will snarl-and man can never be alone.