ALTER EGO

By George William Russell

All the morn a spirit gay

Breathes within my heart a rhyme,

‘ Tis but hide and seek we play

In and out the courts of Time.

Fairy lover, when my feet

Through the tangled woodland go,

‘ Tis thy sunny fingers fleet

Fleck the fire dews to and fro.

In the moonlight grows a smile

Mid its rays of dusty pearl —

‘ Tis but hide and seek the while,

As some frolic boy and girl.

When I fade into the deep

Some mysterious radiance showers

From the jewel-heart of sleep

Through the veil of darkened hours.

Where the ring of twilight gleams

Round the sanctuary wrought,

Whispers haunt me — in my dreams

We are one yet know it not.

Some for beauty follow long

Flying traces; some there be

Seek thee only for a song:

I to lose myself in thee.