3
He comes, scarce knowing what he seeks:
He breaks the hedge: he enters there:
The colour flies into his cheeks:
He trusts to light on something fair;
For all his life the charm did talk
About his path, and hover near
With words of promise in his walk,
And whisper’d voices at his ear.[[2]]
4
More close and close his footsteps wind;
The Magic Music[[3]] in his heart
Beats quick and quicker, till he find
The quiet chamber far apart.
His spirit flutters like a lark,
He stoops—to kiss her—on his knee.
“Love, if thy tresses be so dark,
How dark those hidden eyes must be!
[1] 1842 to 1851. In.
[2] All editions up to and including 1850. In his ear.
[3] All editions up to and including 1851. Not capitals in magic music.
The Revival
(No alteration after 1853.)
1