I marvel if my heart, br Hath any room apart, br Built secretly its mystic walls within; br With subtly warded key. br Ne'er yielded unto me-- br Where even I have surely never been. br br Ah, surely I know all br The bright and cheerful hall br With the fire ever red upon its hearth; br My friends dwell with me there, br Nor comes the step of Care br To sadden down its music and its mirth. br br Full well I know as mine, br The little cloister'd shrine br No foot but mine alone hath ever trod; br There come the shining wings-- br The face of one who brings br The pray'rs of men before the throne of God. br br And many know full well, br The busy, busy cell, br Where I toil at the work I have to do, br Nor is the portal fast, br Where stand phantoms of the past, br Or grow the bitter plants of darksome rue. br br I know the dainty spot br (Ah, who doth know it not?) br Where pure young Love his lily-cradle made; br And nestled some sweet springs br With lily-spangled wings-- br Forget-me-nots upon his bier I laid.