50 
THE RAVEN. 
Man and beast and bird, like seed 
Scattered on the harvest mead: 
How could I return to bear 
Tidings? I was feasting there! 
POET. 
Raven ha! I thought the same. 
But in after times ye came, 
To the exiled prophet good 
Bringing him his daily food. 
RAVEN. 
Yes, — by Cherith-brook there grew 
Mighty cedars not a few; 
And a raven-tree was there 
Spreading forth its branches bare. 
*T'was our home, when thither ran 
From the king an awful man, 
Robed and sandalled as in haste, 
With a girdle round his waist ; 
Strongly built, with brow severe, 
And the bearing of a seer. 
Down by Cherith-brook he lay ; 
And at morn and set of day 
