Self-Study

A presence both by night and day, That made my life seem just begun, Yet scarce a presence, rather say The warning aureole of one.

And yet I felt it everywhere; Walked I the woodland's aisles along, It seemed to brush me with its hair; Bathed I, I heard a mermaid's song.

How sweet it was! A buttercup Could hold for me a day's delight, A bird could lift my fancy up To ether free from cloud or blight.

Who was the nymph? Nay, I will see, Methought, and I will know her near; If such, divined, her charm can be, Seen and possessed, how triply dear!

So every magic art I tried, And spells as numberless as sand, Until, one evening, by my side I saw her glowing fulness stand.

I turned to clasp her, but 'Farewell,' Parting she sighed, 'we meet no more; Not by my hand the curtain fell That leaves you conscious, wise, and poor.

'Since you nave found me out, I go; Another lover I must find, Content his happiness to know, Nor strive its secret to unwind.'