The Crystal Cabinet

The Maiden caught me in the wild,

Where I was dancing merrily;

She put me into her Cabinet,

And lock'd me up with a golden key.

This cabinet is form'd of

And pearl and crystal shining bright,

And within it opens into a

And a little lovely moony night.

Another England there I

Another London with its Tower,

Another Thames and other hills,

And another pleasant Surrey bower.

Another Maiden like herself,

Translucent, lovely, shining clear,

Threefold each in the other clos'dO, what a pleasant trembling fear!

O, what a smile! a threefold

Fill'd me, that like a flame I burn'd;

I bent to kiss the lovely Maid,

And found a threefold kiss return'd.

I strove to seize the inmost

With ardor fierce and hands of flame,

But burst the Crystal Cabinet,

And like a weeping Babe became—A weeping Babe upon the wild,

And weeping Woman pale reclin'd,

And in the outward air again,

I fill'd with woes the passing wind..