Svanhild monologue — Love's Comedy

Homeless within my mother's house I dwelt, Lonely in all I thought, in all I felt, A guest unbidden at the feast of mirth,-- Accounted nothing--less than nothing--worth. Then you appeared! For the first time I heard My own thought uttered in another's word; To my lame visions you gave wings and feet-- You young unmasker of the Obsolete! Half with your caustic keenness you alarmed me, Half with your radiant eloquence you charmed me, As sea-girt forests summon with their spell The sea their flinty beaches still repel. Now I have read the bottom of your soul, Now you have won me, undivided, whole; Dear forest, where my tossing billows beat, My tide's at flood and never will retreat!