IF on the closed curtain of my sight My fancy paints thy portrait far away, I see thee still the same, by night or day; Crossing the crowded street, or moving bright 'Mid festal throngs, or reading by the light Of shaded lamp some friendly poet's lay, Or shepherding the children at their play, -- The same sweet self, and my unchanged delight. But when I see thee near, I recognize In every dear familiar way some strange Perfection, and behold in April guise The magic of thy beauty that doth range Through many moods with infinite surprise, -- Never the same, and sweeter with each change. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE EARLY PRIMROSE by HENRY KIRKE WHITE STANZAS COMPOSED AT CARNAC by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE STEAM-ENGINE: CANTO 4: LORD STANHOPE'S STEAMER by T. BAKER ON HIS ENGAGEMENT TO BE MARRIED by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB THE DOUBTER'S PRAYER by ANNE BRONTE |