The Maiden caught me in the Wild, Where I was dancing merrily; She put me into her Cabinet And Lock'd me up with a golden Key. This Cabinet is form'd of Gold And Pearl & Crystal shining bright, And within it opens into a World And a little lovely Moony Night. Another England there I saw, Another London with its Tower, Another Thames & other Hills, And another pleasant Surrey Bower, Another Maiden like herself, Translucent, lovely, shining clear, Threefold each in the other clos'd -- O, what a pleasant trembling fear! O, what a smile! a threefold Smile Fill'd me, that like a flame I burn'd; I bent to Kiss the lovely Maid, And found a Threefold Kiss return'd. I strove to seize the inmost Form With ardor fierce & hands of flame, But burst the Crystal Cabinet, And like a Weeping Babe became -- A weeping Babe upon the wild, And Weeping Woman pale reclin'd, And in the outward air again I fill'd with woes the passing Wind. |