To an Isle in the Water

William Butler Yeats, 1889

 

Shy one, shy one,

Shy one of my heart,

She moves in the firelight

Pensively apart.

 

She carries in the dishes,

And lays them in a row.

To an isle in the water

With her would I go.

 

She carries in the candles,

And lights the curtained room,

Shy in the doorway

And shy in the gloom;

 

Any shy as a rabbit,

Helpful and shy.

To an isle in the water

With her would I fly.