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| SHE was a phantom of delight | |
| When first she gleamed upon my sight; | |
| A lovely apparition, sent | |
| To be a moment’s ornament; | |
| Her eyes as stars of twilight fair; | 5 |
| Like Twilight’s, too, her dusky hair; | |
| But all things else about her drawn | |
| From May-time and the cheerful dawn; | |
| A dancing shape, an image gay, | |
| To haunt, to startle, and waylay. | 10 |
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| I saw her upon nearer view, | |
| A spirit, yet a woman too! | |
| Her household motions light and free, | |
| And steps of virgin-liberty; | |
| A countenance in which did meet | 15 |
| Sweet records, promises as sweet; | |
| A creature not too bright or good | |
| For human nature’s daily food, | |
| For transient sorrows, simple wiles, | |
| Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. | 20 |
| |
| And now I see with eye serene | |
| The very pulse of the machine; | |
| A being breathing thoughtful breath, | |
| A traveller between life and death: | |
| The reason firm, the temperate will, | 25 |
| Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill; | |
| A perfect woman, nobly planned | |
| To warn, to comfort, and command; | |
| And yet a spirit still, and bright | |
| With something of an angel-light. | 30 |
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