This page has been validated.
124
THE RIDDLE.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Rule_Segment_-_Span_-_20px.svg/20px-Rule_Segment_-_Span_-_20px.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Rule_Segment_-_Diamond_-_4px.svg/5px-Rule_Segment_-_Diamond_-_4px.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Rule_Segment_-_Span_-_20px.svg/20px-Rule_Segment_-_Span_-_20px.svg.png)
Was ever breast of mortal birth
With such sweet riddle laden?
Was she a Spirit of the earth
Or a Celestial Maiden?
I know not now, I knew not then,
But oft with her conversing,
Now was I one that talked with men,
Now one with Heaven commercing.
I know not: this alone is sure,
That, ever seeing clearer,
I found the earthly grew more pure,
And the divine came nearer.