XIV

I SAW thee yester-even, through the maze Of lights and worldly episodes of man, Filling the room with brilliancy, that can So well adorn thy loveliness, and daze My wondering eyes, each time I mutely gaze On thee from far, while all thy treasures fan This fever of my soul. Oh, cast this ban Of fear from off myself and hear my praise! Yet, when at last we met, how cruelly The fascination of thy careless speech Pierced my poor heart, held in love’s fell disease, While I, o’erwhelmed by force of loving thee, Unable wisdom toward myself to teach, Did tremble in thy presence, ill at ease.