I knew it! yes, before time told on time

For the first time, or ever I knew time was.

I saw the effect before I marked the cause,

I bore the charge and did not know the crime.

Innocent of deceit, I felt the change,

Perplexed what change could be; my mind and heart

That knew the whole saw part disowned by part

And creep into itself, forlorn and strange.

Time gave and took away. This life it gave;

And life is quick and warm, and death is cold.

It took the story that never can be told,

The unfading light and the unbreaking wave.

I strike the bargain, since time’s hand is there;

But having done, this clause I here declare.