THE day was glowing, my heart, too, glow'd, In silence I bore my sorrow's load; When night arrived, I hastened then To the blossoming rose in the silent glen. I softly approach'd, and mute as the grave, While tears my cheeks did secretly lave, I peep'd in the cup of the rose so fair, And lo! a bright light was glimmering there. By the rose I joyfully fell asleep, When a sweet mocking dream did over me creep; The form of a rosy maid was reveal'd; A rosy bodice her bosom conceal'd. She gave me soon a rich golden store, To a golden cottage the prize I bore; Strange goings-on in the cottage I found, -- Small elves are dancing in graceful round. Twelve dancers are dancing, and taking no rest, And closely their hands together are press'd; And soon as a dance has come to a close, Another begins, and each merrily goes. and the music they dance to thus sounds in my ear: "The happiest of hours will ne'er reappear, "The whole of thy life was only a dream, "And this hour of pleasure a dream within dream." The dream is over, the sun is up, I eagerly peep in the rose's cup. Alas! in the place of the glimmering light, A nasty insect meets my sight. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 3 by EZRA POUND PASSION'S HOUNDS by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES NINETY-NINE IN THE SHADE by ROSSITER JOHNSON SIDNEY GODOLPHIN by CLINTON SCOLLARD OPPORTUNITY by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL BUBBLING WINE by ABU ZAKARIYYA |