Ii: Magic

An ancient wildwood showed its heart to me. (O Little Wind that brought me what it said!) I went within its great nave reverently.

There dwelt the silence ever lightly wed With winged sound. There the persuading green Took ancient citadels with soundless tread.

Was not the opening blue of buds between Soft solitary leaves a lyric set To music of the things that lift and lean?

My hands were mother-tender of the net Of silk they found. My feet were light To loose no dew from the least violet.

The fragile fabric of dissolved night Seemed in the air. A million little minds Kept concert in the very realm of sight.

O--and suddenly as sunlight finds White towers I heard the ancient wood unfold Its ancient secret piped by little winds.

“Behold the beauty in me. O behold The beauty that makes utter peace, in me; Beauty that is immeasurably old.”

The whole world like a bell heard echoingly. Words wonderful! I found a fairy bed And saw that which the wildwood let me see. (O Little Wind that brought me what it said!)