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 gold
And pearl and crystal shining bright
And within it opens into a world
And a little lovely moony night
Another England there I saw
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'd
O, what a pleasant trembling fear!
O, what a smile! a threefold smile
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 form
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 pa**ing wind