Emily Dickinson Lexicon

happen (-ed, -ing, -s), v. [see haply, adv.] (webplay: come).

1. Arrive; come; travel; pass coincidentally; [fig.] encounter by chance while in route.
2. Phrase. “happen on”: effect; impress; move; strike; stir the feelings of; touch the emotions of.
3. Phrase. “happen to”: befall; take place; occur unexpectedly.