ART.

I know not how I found you

With your wild hair a-blow,

Nor why the world around you

Would never let me know:

Perhaps‘ t was Heaven relented,

Perhaps‘ t was Hell resented

My dream, and grimly vented

Its hate upon me so.

In Shadowland I met you

Where all dim shadows meet;

Within my heart I set you,

A phantom bitter-sweet:

No hope for me to win you,

Though I with soul and sinew

Strive on and on, when in you

There is no heart or heat!

Yet ever, aye, and ever,

Although I knew you lied,

I followed on, but never

Would your white form abide:

With loving arms stretched meward,

As Sirens beckon seaward

To some fair 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 limbs like marble showing,

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!