A Phantasy

I know not where I found you With your wild hair a-blow, Nor why the world around you Would never let me know: Perhaps ’twas Heaven relented; Perhaps ’twas Hell resented My hope, and grimly vented Its hate upon me so.

In Shadowland I met you Where all life’s shadows meet; Within my heart I set you, A woman bitter-sweet: No hope for me to win you, Though I with soul and sinew Strove on and on, when in you There was no heart or heat.

Still always, aye, and ever, Although I knew you lied, I followed on, but never Would your fair form abide: With loving arms stretched meward, As Sirens beckon seaward To some frail vessel leeward, Before me you would glide.

But like an evil fairy, That mocks one with a light, Now near, you led your airy, Now far, your fitful flight: With red-gold tresses blowing, And eyes of sapphire glowing, With raiment white and flowing, You lured me through the night.

To some unearthly revel Of mimes, a motley crew, ’Twixt Angel-land and Devil-, You lured me on, I knew, And lure me still! soft whiling The way with hopes beguiling, While dark Despair sits smiling Behind the eyes of you.