The Maiden¹ 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 bower²，

    Another Maiden like herself，

    Translucent³， 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 bent⁴ to kiss the lovely Maid，

    And found a threefold kiss return'd.

    I strove to seize the inmost form

    With ardour 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 woes⁵ the passing wind.

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