Chapter 6

‘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,
??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)
We stole out of Limbo¹ Gate
??Looking for the Earth.
Hand in pulling hand amid
??Fear no dreams have known,
Helen ran with me, she did,
??Helen all alone!

When the Horror passing speech
??Hunted us along,
Each laid hold on each, and each
??Found the other strong.
In the teeth of things forbid
??And Reason overthrown²,
Helen stood by me, she did,
??Helen all alone!

When, at last, we heard the Fires
??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,
Helen passed from me, she did,
??Helen all alone!

Let her go and find a mate,
??As I will find a bride,
Knowing naught³ of Limbo Gate
??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!
??Helen all alone!

1 limbo   

n.地狱的边缘；监狱

参考例句：

• His life seemed stuck in limbo and he could not go forward and he could not go back.他的生活好像陷入了不知所措的境地，进退两难。
• I didn't know whether my family was alive or dead.I felt as if I was in limbo.我不知道家人是生是死，感觉自己茫然无措。

2 overthrown   

adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词

参考例句：

• The president was overthrown in a military coup. 总统在军事政变中被赶下台。
• He has overthrown the basic standards of morality. 他已摒弃了基本的道德标准。

3 naught   

n.无，零 [=nought]

参考例句：

• He sets at naught every convention of society.他轻视所有的社会习俗。
• I hope that all your efforts won't go for naught.我希望你的努力不会毫无结果。