| Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922. | | | | “Helen All Alone” |
| | | THERE was darkness under Heaven | |
| For an hour’s space— | |
| Darkness that we knew was given | |
| Us for special grace. | |
| Sun and moon and stars were hid, | 5 |
| God had left His Throne, | |
| When Helen came to me, she did, | |
| Helen all alone! | |
| |
| Side by side (because our fate | |
| Damned us ere our birth) | 10 |
| We stole out of Limbo Gate | |
| Looking for the Earth. | |
| Hand in pulling hand amid | |
| Fear no dreams have known, | |
| Helen ran with me, she did, | 15 |
| Helen all alone! | |
| |
| When the Horror passing speech | |
| Hunted us along, | |
| Each laid hold on each, and each | |
| Found the other strong. | 20 |
| In the teeth of Things forbid | |
| And Reason overthrown, | |
| Helen stood by me, she did, | |
| Helen all alone! | |
| |
| When, at last, we heard those Fires | 25 |
| Dull and die away, | |
| When, at last, our linked desires | |
| Dragged us up to day; | |
| When, at last, our souls were rid | |
| Of what that Night had shown, | 30 |
| Helen passed from me, she did, | |
| Helen all alone! | |
| |
| Let her go and find a mate, | |
| As I will find a bride, | |
| Knowing naught of Limbo Gate | 35 |
| Or Who are penned inside. | |
| There is knowledge God forbid | |
| More than one should own. | |
| So Helen went from me, she did, | |
| Oh my soul, be glad she did! | 40 |
| Helen all alone! | | | | |
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