And thrice they twitched the diamond in her ear;

Thrice she looked back, and thrice the foe drew near.

Just in that instant, anxious Ariel sought

The close recesses of the virgin’s thought:

As on the nosegay in her breast reclined,

He watched the ideas rising in her mind,

Sudden he viewed, in spite of all her art,

An earthly lover lurking at her heart.

Amazed, confused, he found his power expired,

Resigned to fate, and with a sigh retired.