Unicorn's Reflection

In the clear water of the still pool,
Floating like a shard of cloud,
I saw a diamond-brilliant jewel
That made me gasp aloud.
It was a unicorn in the cool.

I could not lift my eyes to him;
Nor did I dare try to do it.
I would die from such a whim;
I could see the death through it.
His face was enough, long and slim,

To warn me of danger in gazing
Directly upon such wild beauty.
My head and heart I would be mazing,
For such is a unicorn's bright duty:
To be that lovely, that amazing.

But I could see the slender horn,
The grave and wild, deep green eyes,
The coat as white and soft as morn,
The legs with hooves cloven-wise,
The grace and splendor of the unicorn.

I made up my mind to look up;
What if my mind and heart did die?
I would rather drink from such a cup
Then any other under this sky,
From such a plate my death and fate sup.

But when I looked up, he was gone,
And I had to shiver, had to wonder,
If it had only been a spell of the dawn
That I had seen, fallen under,
Or a reflection of a flying swan.

But then I stared, caught my breath,
For by the lake's side bloomed white flowers
That I would swear upon my death
Had not been there in other hours.
The unicorn- or something- had them left.

I bowed my head, breathed a prayer,
And such were the impulses in me
That I could not tell you if I prayed that fair 
Things would live in the world, forever free,
Or be revealed to my stare.