She was a phantom of delight
When first she gleamed 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 way-lay.

I saw her upon a 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 Traveler between life and death;
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;
A perfect Woman, nobly planned,
To warm, to comfort, and command;
And yet a Spirit still, and bright,
With something of angelic light.



– She Was a Phantom of Delight by William Wordsworth



Related posts:

  1. Poem of the day – A Night Thought by William Wordsworth Lo! where the Moon along the skySails with her happy destiny;Oft is she hid from mortal eyeOr dimly seen,But when the clouds asunder flyHow bright her mien! Far different we–a froward race,Thousands though rich in Fortune’s graceWith cherished sullenness of paceTheir way pursue, Ingrates who wear a smileless faceThe whole year through. If kindred humours [...]...
  2. Poem of the day – A Night-Piece by William Wordsworth ——The sky is overcast With a continuous cloud of texture close, Heavy and wan, all whitened by the Moon, Which through that veil is indistinctly seen, A dull, contracted circle, yielding light So feebly spread, that not a shadow falls, Chequering the ground–from rock, plant, tree, or tower. At length a pleasant instantaneous gleam Startles [...]...
  3. Book of Thel, The by William Blake Book of Thel, The by William Blake THEL’S MOTTO 1 Does the Eagle know what is in the pit? 2 Or wilt thou go ask the Mole? 3 Can Wisdom be put in a silver rod? 4 Or Love in a golden bowl? I 1.1 The daughters of the Seraphim led round their sunny flocks, [...]...
  4. A Little Girl Lost by William Blake A Little Girl Lost by William Blake Children of the future age, Reading this indignant page, Know that in a former time Love, sweet love, was thought a crime. In the age of gold, Free from winter’s cold, Youth and maiden bright, To the holy light, Naked in the sunny beams delight. Once a youthful [...]...
  5. Poem of the day – Our Daily Bread by Robert Service Give me my daily bread.It seems so odd,When all is done and said,This plea to God.To pray for cake might beThe thing to do;But bread, it seems to me,Is just our due. Give me my daily toil,I ought to say -(If from life’s cursed coilI’d time to pray.)Give me my daily sweat,My body sore,So that [...]...