The crystal gazer

Within my hand I held a crystal sphere

And in its depths I gazed, where one by one,

A thousand shadow-shapes had come and gone

In other days.

The ball stay'd water-clear

Nor could I make one image reappear

Howe'er I tried.

I said: I am foredone

With waiting! Let me have oblivion

Or else, show me of all, the

One Most Dear!

Then suddenly across the globe did dart

A myriad of shades and each more fair than each,

Until in one the misty band did merge.

I knew the Long-Desired was there

Because I saw your face.

And lo, my hand

No longer held the sphere, but my own heart!