"When these famed kingdoms shall as sisters be, "And one great sovereign rule the powerful three: "Then yon rich Vale, far stretching to the west, 66 Beyond thy bound, shall be by one possess'd: “Then shall true grace and dignity accord "With splendour, ease- -the Castle with its Lord." " Lively as truth, and I will think it true: "Some gentle spirit to my mind has brought "Forms of fair works to be hereafter wrought; "But yet of mine a part will then remain, "Nor will that Lord its humbler worth disdain; "Mix'd with his mightier pile shall mine be found, "By him protected, and with his renown'd; "He who its full destruction could command, "A part shall save from the destroying hand, "And say, 'It long has stood,—still honour'd let it stand.' 116 THE WORLD OF DREAMS. I. AND is thy soul so wrapt in sleep? The bravest may my terrors dread, II. Soon as the real World I lose, Quick Fancy takes her wonted way, Nor to what powers a passive prey, But all is gloom, or all is gay, III. Come, then, I woo thee, sacred Sleep! IV. In vain I pray! It is my sin That thus admits the shadowy throng. Oh! now they break tumultuous in— Angels of darkness fierce and strong. Oh! I am borne of fate along ; My soul, subdued, admits the foe, Perceives and yet endures the wrong, Resists, and yet prepares to go. V. Where am I now? and what to meet? The wicked city's vilest street, I know what I must now explore. And lo! they ope the accursed door, VI. That female fiend!-Why is she there? Why fix'd on me that eye of stone? I saw the deed-why then appear? Thou art not form'd of blood and bone! Come not, dread being, come not near! VII. So! all is quiet, calm, serene; I walk a noble mansion round — I feel an awe, I own a dread, And still proceed! — nor stop nor bound— And all is silent, all is dead. VIII. Now I'm hurried, borne along, All is business! all alive! Never fated to arrive At the still-expected place. IX. Ah me! how sweet the morning sun Those trees their leafy heads decline! Their health-imparting influence give: X. My friend, my brother, lost in youth, - spurns me - with disdain. XI. I sail the sea, I walk the land; Of winds and waters, but in vain ; |