I STOOD as one enchanted, br All in the forest deep: br As one that wond'ring wanders, br Dream-bound within his sleep. br br A thousand rustling footsteps br Pattered upon the ground; br A thousand whisp'ring voices br Made the wide silence, sound. br br Some murmured deep and deeper, br Like waves in solemn seas; br Some breathèd sweet and sweeter, br Like elves on moon-lit leas. br br Tall ferns, washed down in sunlight, br Beckoned with fingers green; br Tall flowers nodded strangely, br With white and glimm'ring sheen; br br They sighed, they sang so softly, br They stretched their arms to me; br My heart, it throbbed so wildly, br In weird tumultuous glee. br br I staggered in the mosses, br It seemed to drag me down br Into the gleaming bushes; br To fall, to sink, to drown. br br When lo! thro' scared foliage, br A lovely bird did fly; br And looked at me so knowing, br With bright and curious eye; br br It broke out into warbles, br And singing sped away; br But I, like one awakened, br Fled down the mossy way.