• I could not drink it, Sweet,

    Till You had tasted first,

    Though cooler than the Water was

    The Thoughtfullness of Thirst.

  • I could not prove the Years had feet —

    Yet confident they run

    Am I, from symptoms that are past

    And Series that are done —


    I find my feet have further Goals —

    I smile upon the Aims

    That felt so ample — Yesterday —

    Today's — have vaster claims —


    I do not doubt the self...

  • I could suffice for Him, I knew —

    He — could suffice for Me —

    Yet Hesitating Fractions — Both

    Surveyed Infinity —


    "Would I be Whole" He sudden broached —

    My syllable rebelled —

    'Twas face to face with Nature — forced —

    'Twas face to face with God —


    Withdrew the Sun —...

  • I cried at Pity — not at Pain —

    I heard a Woman say

    "Poor Child" — and something in her voice

    Convicted me — of me —


    So long I fainted, to myself

    It seemed the common way,

    And Health, and Laughter, Curious things —

    To look at, like a Toy —


    To sometimes hear "Rich...

  • I cross till I am weary

    A Mountain — in my mind —

    More Mountains — then a Sea —

    More Seas — And then

    A Desert — find —


    And My Horizon blocks

    With steady — drifting — Grains

    Of unconjectured quantity —

    As Asiatic Rains —


    Nor this — defeat my Pace —
    ...

  • I did not reach Thee

    But my feet slip nearer every day

    Three Rivers and a Hill to cross

    One Desert and a Sea

    I shall not count the journey one

    When I am telling thee.


    Two deserts, but the Year is cold

    So that will help the sand

    One desert crossed —

    The second one...

  • I died for beauty, but was scarce

    Adjusted in the tomb,

    When one who died for truth was lain

    In an adjoining room.


    He questioned softly why I failed ?

    "For beauty," I replied.

    "And I for truth, — the two are one ;...

  • I dreaded that first Robin, so,

    But He is mastered, now,

    I'm some accustomed to Him grown,

    He hurts a little, though —


    I thought If I could only live

    Till that first Shout got by —

    Not all Pianos in the Woods

    Had power to mangle me —


    I dared not meet the Daffodils —...

  • I dwell in Possibility —

    A fairer House than Prose —

    More numerous of Windows —

    Superior — for Doors —


    Of Chambers as the Cedars —

    Impregnable of Eye —

    And for an Everlasting Roof

    The Gambrels of the Sky —


    Of Visitors — the fairest —

    For Occupation — This...

  • I envy Seas, whereon He rides —

    I envy Spokes of Wheels

    Of Chariots, that Him convey —

    I envy Crooked Hills


    That gaze upon His journey —

    How easy All can see

    What is forbidden utterly

    As Heaven — unto me!


    I envy Nests of Sparrows —

    That dot His distant...