When first I saw you, My Well-Beloved,
In my secret heart I said,
Ah, that the lips might follow the eyes
And feast where these have fed!
And now that thine own have set mine free
(Be still, O, my heart, be still)
I only fear that my life may wane
Before they have had their will.
Thus I spoke in the visions of night,
As I may not speak by day,
But the cruel hours with reckless speed
Have carried my dream away.
The night is over, the stars have paled,
The magic of sleep has flown,
The white-eyed Day, slipping into the world,
Found me, as ever, alone.
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