White magic

Against the world I closed my heart,

And, half in pride and half in fear,

I said to Love and Lust: Depart;

None enters here.

A gipsy witch has glided in,

She takes her seat beside my fire;

Her eyes are innocent of sin,

Mine of desire.

She holds me with an unknown spell,

She folds me in her heart's embrace;

If this be love, I cannot tell:

I watch her face.

Her sombre eyes are happier

Than any joy that e'er had voice;

Since I am happiness to her,

I too rejoice.

And I have closed the door again,

Against the world I close my heart;

I hold her with my spell; in vain

Would she depart.

I hold her with a surer spell,

Beyond her magic, and above:

If hers be love, I cannot tell,

But mine is love.