I reach’d the birth-day of my twentieth year; And in the evening of a day in June Was singing--as I sang--some heavenly tune. My native tone, indeed, was harsh and hoarse, But he who feels such powers can sing of course-- Is there a good on earth, or gift divine, That fancy cannot say, behold! ’tis mine? 180 “So was I singing, when I saw descend From this old seat a lady and her friend; Downward they came with steady pace and slow, Arm link’d in arm, to bless my world below. I knew not yet if they escaped, or chose Their own free way; if they had friends or foes-- But near to my dominion drew the pair, Link’d arm in arm, and walk’d, conversing, there. “I saw them ere they came, myself unseen, My lofty fence and thorny bound between-- 190 And one alone, one matchless face I saw, And, though at distance, felt delight and awe: Fancy and truth adorn’d her; fancy gave Much, but not all; truth help’d to make their slave. For she was lovely, all was not the vain Or sickly homage of a fever’d brain; No! she had beauty, such as they admire Whose hope is earthly, and whose love desire; Imagination might her aid bestow, But she had charms that only truth could show. 200 “Their dress was such as well became the place, } But one superior; hers the air, the grace, } The condescending looks, that spoke the nobler race. } Slender she was and tall; her fairy-feet Bore her right onward to my shady seat; And O! I sigh’d that she would nobly dare To come, nor let her friend th’ adventure share; But see how I in my dominion reign, And never wish to view the world again. “Thus was I musing, seeing with my eyes 210 These objects, with my mind her fantasies, And chiefly thinking--is this maid, divine As she appears, to be this queen of mine? Have I from henceforth beauty in my view, Not airy all, but tangible and true? Here then I fix, here bound my vagrant views, And here devote my heart, my time, my muse. “She saw not this, though ladies early trace Their beauty’s power, the glories of their face; Yet knew not this fair creature--could not know 220 That new-born love that I too soon must show! And I was musing--how shall I begin? How make approach my unknown way to win, And to that heart, as yet untouch’d, make known The wound, the wish, the weakness of my own? Such is my part, but----Mercy! what alarm? Dare aught on earth that sovereign beauty harm? Again--the shrieking charmers--how they rend The gentle air----The shriekers lack a friend-- They are my princess and th’ attendant maid, 230 In so much danger, and so much afraid!-- But whence the terror?--Let me haste and see } What has befallen them who cannot flee-- }