WHEN FIRST I SAW THEE

When first I saw thee, lady, straightway came

The thought that somehow, somewhere, destiny,

Through blinding paths of happiness or blame,

Would bend my way of life, my soul to thee.

But then I put it from me: was not I

A wanderer? To-morrow I should be

In other lands-beside another sea;

Nay, you were but a star-gleam in my sky.

And so I came not in your sight awhile,

You gave no thought, and I passed not away;

But like some traveller in a deep defile

I walked in darkness even through the day:

Until at last the hands of Circumstance

Pointed the hour that waked me from my trance.