I saw a tower builded on a lake, Mock'd by its inverse shadow, dark and deep-- That seem'd a still intenser night to make, Wherein the quiet waters sank to sleep,-- And, whatso'er was prison'd in that keep, A monstrous Snake was warden:--round and round In sable ringlets I beheld him creep Blackest amid black shadows to the ground, Whilst his enormous head, the topmost turret crown'd. III. From whence he shot fierce light against the stars, Making the pale moon paler with affright; And with his ruby eye out-threaten'd Mars-- That blaz'd in the mid-heavens, hot and bright-- Nor slept, nor wink'd, but with a steadfast spite Watch'd their wan looks and tremblings in the skies; And that he might not slumber in the night, The curtain-lids were pluck'd from his large eyes, So he might never drowse, but watch his secret prize. IV. Prince or princess in dismal durance pent, Victims of old Enchantment's love or hate, Their lives must all in painful sighs be spent, Watching the lonely waters soon and late, And clouds that pass and leave them to their fate, Or company their grief with heavy tears:-- Meanwhile that Hope can spy no golden gate For sweet escapement, but in darksome fears They weep and pine away as if immortal years. V. No gentle bird with gold upon its wing Will perch upon the grate--the gentle bird Is safe in leafy dell, and will not bring Freedom's sweet key-note and commission-word Learn'd of a fairy's lips, for pity stirr'd-- Lest while he trembling sings, untimely guest! Watch'd by that cruel Snake and darkly heard, He leave a widow on her lonely nest, To press in silent grief the darlings of her breast. VI. No gallant knight, adventurous, in his bark, Will seek the fruitful perils of the place, To rouse with dipping oar the waters dark That bear that serpent image on their face. And Love, brave Love! though he attempt the base, Nerved to his loyal death, he may not win His captive lady from the strict embrace Of that foul Serpent, clasping her within His sable folds--like Eve enthrall'd by the old Sin. VII. But there is none--no knight in panoply, Nor Love, intrench'd in his strong steely coat: No little speck--no sail--no helper nigh, No sign--no whispering--no plash of boat:-- The distant shores show dimly and remote, Made of a deeper mist,--serene and gray,-- And slow and mute the cloudy shadows float Over the gloomy wave, and pass away, Chased by the silver beams that on their marges play. VIII. And bright and silvery the willows sleep Over the shady verge--no mad winds tease Their hoary heads; but quietly they weep Their sprinkling leaves--half fountains and half trees: Their lilies be--and fairer than all these, A solitary Swan her breast of snow Launches against the wave that seems to freeze Into a chaste reflection, still below Twin shadow of herself wherever she may go. IX.