Within my hand I held a crystal sphere
And in its depths I gazed, where one by one,
A thousand shadow-shapes had come and gone
In other days.
The ball stay'd water-clear
Nor could I make one image reappear
Howe'er I tried.
I said: I am foredone
With waiting! Let me have oblivion
Or else, show me of all, the
One Most Dear!

Then suddenly across the globe did dart
A myriad of shades and each more fair than each,
Until in one the misty band did merge.
I knew the Long-Desired was there
Because I saw your face.
And lo, my hand
No longer held the sphere, but my own heart!