The Pinafore + 

When peevish flaws his soul have stirred + 

To fretful tears for crossed desires, + 

Obedient to his mother’s word + 

My child to banishment retires. + 

As disappears the moon, when wind + 

Heaps miles of mist her visage o’er, + 

So vanisheth his face behind + 

The cloud of his white pinafore. + 

I cannot then come near my child⁠— + 

A gulf between of gainful loss; + 

He to the infinite exiled⁠— + 

I waiting, for I cannot cross. + 

Ah then, what wonder, passing show, + 

The Isis-veil behind it brings⁠— + 

Like that self-coffined creatures know, + 

Remembering legs, foreseeing wings! + 

Mysterious moment! When or how + 

Is the bewildering change begun? + 

Hid in far deeps the awful now + 

When turns his being to the sun! + 

A light goes up behind his eyes, + 

A still small voice behind his ears; + 

A listing wind about him sighs, + 

And lo the inner landscape clears! + 

Hid by that screen, a wondrous shine + 

Is gathering for a sweet surprise; + 

As Moses grew, in dark divine, + 

Too radiant for his people’s eyes. + 

For when the garment sinks again, + 

Outbeams a brow of heavenly wile, + 

Clear as a morning after rain, + 

And sunny with a perfect smile. + 

Oh, would that I the secret knew + 

Of hiding from my evil part, + 

And turning to the lovely true + 

The open windows of my heart! + 

Lord, in thy skirt, love’s tender gaol, + 

Hide thou my selfish heart’s disgrace; + 

Fill me with light, and then unveil + 

To friend and foe a friendly face. + 