(No alteration after 1853.)
1
All precious things, discover’d late,
To those that seek them issue forth;
For love in sequel works with fate,
And draws the veil from hidden worth.
He travels far from other skies
His mantle glitters on the rocks—
A fairy Prince, with joyful eyes,
And lighter footed than the fox.
2
The bodies and the bones of those
That strove in other days to pass,
Are wither’d in the thorny close,
Or scatter’d blanching on[1]the grass.
He gazes on the silent dead:
“They perish’d in their daring deeds.”
This proverb flashes thro’ his head,
“The many fail: the one succeeds”.
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.