MAIDENS.

I Others must by a long dark way Stray to the mystic bards, Or ask some one who has heard them sing Or touch the magic chords. Only the maidens question not he bridges that lead to Dream! heir luminous smiles are like strands o" #earls On a sil$er $ase agleam. he maidens% doors o" &i"e lead out 'here the song o" the #oet soars, And out beyond to the great world(( o the world beyond the doors.

MAIDENS. II Maidens the #oets learn "rom you to tell )ow solitary and remote you are, As night is lighted by one high bright star hey draw light "rom the distance where you dwell. *or #oet you must always maiden be E$en though his eyes the woman in you wake 'edding brocade your "ragile wrists would break, Mysterious, elusi$e, "rom him "lee. 'ithin his garden let him wait alone 'here benches stand e+#ectant in the shade 'ithin the chamber where the lyre was #layed 'here he recei$ed you as the eternal One. ,o- It grows dark((your )is senses seek! he now A white robe "luttering Along the #athway where $oice and "orm no more no longer sees under dark beech trees it gleamed be"ore.

)e lo$es the long #aths where no "oot"alls ring, And he lo$es much the silent chamber where &ike a so"t whis#er through the quiet air )e hears your $oice, "ar distant, $anishing. he so"tly stealing echo comes again *rom crowds o" men whom, wearily, he shuns! And many see you there((so his thought runs(( And tenderest memories are #ierced with #ain.