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Bright is the Creature—as in dreams
The Boy had seen her—yea more bright—
But is she truly what she seems ?—
He asks with insecure delight,
Asks of himself—and doubts—and still
The doubt returns against his will :
Though he, and all the standers-by.
Could tell a tragic history
Of facts divulged, wherein appear
Substantial motive, reason clear,
Why thus the milk-white Doe is found
Couchant beside that lonely mound;
And why she duly loves to pace
The circuit of this hallowed place.
Nor to the Child’s enquiring mind
Is such perplexity confined:
For, ’spite of sober truth, that sees
A world of fixed remembrances
Which to this mystery belong,
