I hold my secret fast!
Sunset I watch, and dawn,
Wait the white moonbeam cast,
The pall of night down-drawn.
Then in the ebon dark
I whisper to myself,
While every sense doth hark
Lest blade, or leaf, or elf,
Should catch the trembling word,
And all the listening air
Be to its utmost stirred,
The giddy world aware!

The willow heedful is,
And the titmouse peers at me,
The kingcups nod and quiz
With an air of mystery;
But no one knows at all—
I hold my secret fast!
The wizard loon may call
Till night be overpast,
Troops of bright eyes may smile,
The people look me o'er,
The parson turn the stile,
Friends tarry at the door!

I hold my secret fast!
Sunset I watch, and dawn,
See the blue heavens o'ercast,
The pall of night down-drawn;
And then in raven dark
I whisper to myself,—
My whitest soul ahark
Lest blade, or leaf, or elf,
Should hear the trembling word,
And all the listening air
Be to its farthest stirred,
The rolling world aware