IN the dim watches of the midmost night, A ghost confronts him, standing by his bed, A lonesome ghost who walks uncomforted, Pale child of Memory and dead Delight, No longer fair or pleasant in his sight. With dusky hair upon her shoulders shed, And cypress leaves for garland on her head, As patient as the moonlight and as white, She stands beside him, and puts forth her hand To lead him backward into Love's lost Land -- Sad Land which shadows people, and where wait Memory, her sire, and dead Delight, his mate -- And standing there among the shadowy band, He learns how Love mocks him who loves too late. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SATIRES OF CIRCUMSTANCE: 12. AT THE DRAPER'S by THOMAS HARDY VENUS AND ADONIS by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE PREPARATORY MEDITATIONS, 1ST SERIES: 8 by EDWARD TAYLOR THE DYING SWAN by ALFRED TENNYSON JOHN CHARLES FREMONT by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |