The Haunter

He does not think that I haunt here nightly:         How shall I let him know     That whither his fancy sets him wandering         I, too, alertly go? -     Hover and hover a few feet from him         Just as I used to do,     But cannot answer his words addressed me -         Only listen thereto!     When I could answer he did not say them:         When I could let him know     How I would like to join in his journeys         Seldom he wished to go.     Now that he goes and wants me with him         More than he used to do,     Never he sees my faithful phantom         Though he speaks thereto.     Yes, I accompany him to places         Only dreamers know,     Where the shy hares limp long paces,         Where the night rooks go;     Into old aisles where the past is all to him,         Close as his shade can do,     Always lacking the power to call to him,         Near as I reach thereto!     What a good haunter I am, O tell him,         Quickly make him know     If he but sigh since my loss befell him         Straight to his side I go.     Tell him a faithful one is doing         All that love can do     Still that his path may be worth pursuing,         And to bring peace thereto.