After Apollo Left Admetus' Gate

After apollo left admetus' gate,
Did his late fellows feel a numb despair,
Did they cry "Comrade, comrade" everywhere
Thro' the abandoned byres, and curse the fate
That let them for awhile know him for mate
To mourn his going? Did his vacant chair
Before the fire, when winter drove them there
Make the sad silence more disconsolate?

Did yearning ears all vainly, vainly strain
To half recall the voice that now was mute?
Did yearning eyes strive all in vain, in vain,
To half recall the glory of his face,
To half recall the God that for a space
Had quickened their dead world? and, ah, his lute…