Mine eyes are so confused, My cheek it is so pale, My head is so bemused, A realm of fairy-tale.
I wanted, boldly daring, Sea-going ways to follow, Where a thousand crags rise soaring, And Floods flow bleak and hollow.
I clung to Thought high-soaring, On its two wings did ride, And though storm winds were roaring, All danger I defied.
I did not falter there, But ever on did press With the wild eagle's stare On journeys limitless.
And though the Siren spins Her music so endearing Whereby the heart she wins --I gave that sound no hearing.
I turned away mine ear From the sweet sounds I heard, My bosom did aspire To a loftier reward.
Alas, the waves sped on, At rest they would not be;There swept by many a one Too swift for me to see.
With magic power and word I cast what spells I knew, But forth the waves still roared, Till they were gone from view.
And by the Flood sore pressed, And dizzy at the sight, I tumbled from that host Into the misty night.
And when I rose again From fruitless toil at last, My powers all were gone, And all the heart's glow lost And trembling, pale, I long Gazed into my own breast;By no uplifiting song Was my affliction blessed.
My songs were flown, alack;
The sweetest Art was gone --
No God would give it back Nor Grace of Deathless One.
The Fortress had sunk down That once so bold did stand;The fiery glow was drowned, Void was the bosom's land.
Then shone your radiance, The purest light of soul, Where in a changing dance Round Earth the Heavens roll.
Then was I captive bound, Then was my vision clear, For I had truly found What my dark strivings were.
Soul rang more strong, more free, Out of the deep-stirred breast In triumph heavenly, And in sheer happiness.
My spirits then and there Soared, jubilant and gay, And, like a sorcerer, Their courses did I sway.
I left the waves that rush, The floods that change and flow, On the high cliff to crash, But saved the inner glow.
And what my Soul, Fate-driven Never in flight o'ertook, That to my heart was given, Was granted by your look.
(written between November 1836
and February 1837)
