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She Was A Phantom Of DelightShe Was A Phantom Of Delight
She Was A Phantom Of Delight
She was a phantom of delight
When first she gleam`d upon my sight;
A lovely apparition, sent
To be a moment`s ornament;
Her eyes as stars of twilight fair;
Like Twilight`s, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From May - time and the cheerful dawn;
A dancing shape, an image gay,
To haunt, to startle, and waylay.
I saw her upon nearer view,
A spirit, yet a woman too!
Her household motions light and free,
And steps of virgin - liberty;
A countenance in which did meet
Sweet records, promises as sweet;
A creature not too bright or good
For human nature`s daily food,
For transient sorrows, simple wiles,
Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.
And now I see with eye serene
The very pulse of the machine;
A being breathing thoughtful breath,
A traveller between life and death:
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;
A perfect woman, nobly plann`d
To warn, to comfort, and command;
And yet a Spirit still, and bright
With something of angelic light.
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