William Wetmore Story - Little We Know What Secret Influence lyrics

Little we know what secret influence A word, a glance, a casual tone may bring, That, like the wind's breath on a chorded string, May thrill the memory, touch the inner sense, And waken dreams that come we know not whence; Or like the light touch of a bird's swift wing, The lake's still face a moment visiting, Leave pulsing rings, when he has vanished thence. You looked into my eyes an instant's space, And all the boundaries of time and place Broke down, and far into a world beyond Of buried hopes and dreams my soul had sight, Where dim desires long lost, and memories fond Rose in a soft mirage of tender light.