And Then No More

I SAW her once, one little while, and then no more: 
’Twas Eden’s light on Earth a while, and then no more. 
Amid the throng she passed along the meadow-floor: 
Spring seemed to smile on Earth awhile, and then no more; 
But whence she came, which way she went, what garb she wore  5
I noted not; I gazed a while, and then no more! 
 
I saw her once, one little while, and then no more: 
’Twas Paradise on Earth a while, and then no more. 
Ah! what avail my vigils pale, my magic lore? 
She shone before mine eyes awhile, and then no more. 
The shallop of my peace is wrecked on Beauty’s shore. 
Near Hope’s fair isle it rode awhile, and then no more! 
 
I saw her once, one little while, and then no more: 
Earth looked like Heaven a little while, and then no more. 
Her presence thrilled and lighted to its inner core 
My desert breast a little while, and then no more. 
So may, perchance, a meteor glance at midnight o’er 
Some ruined pile a little while, and then no more! 
 
I saw her once, one little while, and then no more: 
The earth was Peri-land awhile, and then no more. 
Oh, might I see but once again, as once before, 
Through chance or wile, that shape awhile, and then no more! 
Death soon would heal my griefs! This heart, now sad and sore, 
Would beat anew a little while, and then no more.