THE CRYSTAL CABINET

The Maiden caught me in the wild,

Where I was dancing merrily;

She put me into her Cabinet,

And locked me up with a golden key.

This Cabinet is formed 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 Bower.

Another Maiden like herself,

Translucent, lovely, shining clear,

Threefold each in the other closed—

O, what a pleasant trembling fear!

O, what a smile! a Threefold Smile

Filled me, that like a flame I burned;

I bent to kiss the lovely Maid,

And found a Threefold Kiss returned.

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 reclined,

And in the outward air again

I filled with woes the passing wind.

William Blake