What does the speaker compare probable departure to in poem The Raven?

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," the speaker does not directly compare probable departure to anything. However, the poem is filled with imagery and symbolism that strongly suggest the speaker's growing despair and hopelessness in the face of his beloved Lenore's death.

Here are some elements that contribute to this feeling:

* The Raven's presence: The raven itself is a symbol of death and sorrow, and its constant repetition of "Nevermore" reinforces the speaker's inability to escape his grief.

* The setting: The poem takes place on a dreary December night, further emphasizing the speaker's melancholic state.

* The speaker's questions: The speaker's desperate attempts to find solace in the raven's answers only lead to further despair as he realizes there is no escape from his loss.

* The final lines: The poem ends with the speaker surrendering to his grief, suggesting that he has lost all hope of ever finding happiness again.

While there is no direct comparison to "probable departure," the poem's overall atmosphere and the speaker's emotional journey strongly convey the feeling of being trapped in an unending cycle of grief and despair, which is essentially the equivalent of a departure from hope and joy.