20.  And wondrous works of substances unknown, To which the enchantment of her father’s power Had changed those ragged blocks of savage stone, Were heaped in the recesses of her bower; Carved lamps and chalices, and vials which shone 205 In their own golden beams—­each like a flower, Out of whose depth a fire-fly shakes his light Under a cypress in a starless night.

21.  At first she lived alone in this wild home, And her own thoughts were each a minister, 210 Clothing themselves, or with the ocean foam, Or with the wind, or with the speed of fire, To work whatever purposes might come Into her mind; such power her mighty Sire Had girt them with, whether to fly or run, 215 Through all the regions which he shines upon.

22.  The Ocean-nymphs and Hamadryades, Oreads and Naiads, with long weedy locks, Offered to do her bidding through the seas, Under the earth, and in the hollow rocks, 220 And far beneath the matted roots of trees, And in the gnarled heart of stubborn oaks, So they might live for ever in the light Of her sweet presence—­each a satellite.

23.  ‘This may not be,’ the wizard maid replied; 225 ’The fountains where the Naiades bedew Their shining hair, at length are drained and dried; The solid oaks forget their strength, and strew Their latest leaf upon the mountains wide; The boundless ocean like a drop of dew 230 Will be consumed—­the stubborn centre must Be scattered, like a cloud of summer dust.

24.  ’And ye with them will perish, one by one;—­ If I must sigh to think that this shall be, If I must weep when the surviving Sun 235 Shall smile on your decay—­oh, ask not me To love you till your little race is run; I cannot die as ye must—­over me Your leaves shall glance—­the streams in which ye dwell Shall be my paths henceforth, and so—­farewell!’—­ 240

25.  She spoke and wept:—­the dark and azure well Sparkled beneath the shower of her bright tears, And every little circlet where they fell Flung to the cavern-roof inconstant spheres And intertangled lines of light:—­a knell 245 Of sobbing voices came upon her ears From those departing Forms, o’er the serene Of the white streams and of the forest green.

26.  All day the wizard lady sate aloof, Spelling out scrolls of dread antiquity, 250 Under the cavern’s fountain-lighted roof; Or broidering the pictured poesy Of some high tale upon her growing woof, Which the sweet splendour of her smiles could dye In hues outshining heaven—­and ever she 255 Added some grace to the wrought poesy.

27.  While on her hearth lay blazing