The phantom

That was once her casement,
   And the taper nigh,
Shining from within there,
   Beckoned, "Here am I!"

Now, as then, I see her
   Moving at the pane;
Ah, 'tis but her phantom
   Borne within my brain!

Foremost in my vision
   Everywhere goes she;
Change dissolves the landscapes,
   She abides with me.

Shape so sweet and shy, Dear,
   Who can say thee nay?
Never once do I, Dear,
   Wish thy ghost away.

by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) , "The phantom", from Time's Laughingstocks and Other Verses, published 1909, rev 1916 and a

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Gerald Finzi (1901-1956) , "In the mind's eye", op. 16 no. 6, published 1949 [baritone and piano], from Before and After Summer, no. 6.
by Ivor Gurney (1890-1937) , "The phantom" [voice and piano]

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