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.’