The Pickering Manuscript/The Crystal Cabinet
For other versions of this work, see The Crystal Cabinet.
The Crystal Cabinet
The Maiden caught me in the WildWhere I was dancing merrilyShe put me into her CabinetAnd Lockd me up with a golden Key
This cabinet is formd of GoldAnd Pearl & Crystal shining brightAnd within it opens into a WorldAnd a little lovely Moony Night
Another England there I sawAnother London with its TowerAnother Thames & other HillsAnd another pleasant Surrey Bower
Another Maiden like herselfTranslucent lovely shining clearThreefold each in the other closdO what a pleasant trembling fear
O what a smile a threefold SmileFilld me that like a flame I burndI bent to Kiss the lovely MaidAnd found a Threefold Kiss returnd.
I strove to sieze the inmost FormWith ardor fierce & hands of flameBut burst the Crystal CabinetAnd like a Weeping Babe became
A weeping Babe upon the wildAnd Weeping Woman pale reclindAnd in the outward air againI filld with woes the passing Wind