Strange Fits of Passion I Have Known + 

Strange fits of passion I have known: + 

And I will dare to tell, + 

But in the Lover’s ear alone, + 

What once to me befell. + 

When she I loved, was strong and gay + 

And like a rose in June, + 

I to her cottage bent my way, + 

Beneath the evening Moon. + 

Upon the Moon I fixed my eye, + 

All over the wide lea: + 

My Horse trudged on⁠—and we drew nigh + 

Those paths so dear to me. + 

And now we reached the orchard plot; + 

And, as we climbed the hill, + 

Towards the roof of Lucy’s cot + 

The Moon descended still. + 

In one of those sweet dreams I slept, + 

Kind Nature’s gentlest boon! + 

And, all the while, my eyes I kept + 

On the descending Moon. + 

My Horse moved on; hoof after hoof + 

He raised, and never stopped: + 

When down behind the cottage roof + 

At once the Planet dropped. + 

What fond and wayward thoughts will slide + 

Into a Lover’s head⁠— + 

“O mercy!” to myself I cried, + 

“If Lucy should be dead!” + 