And many sounds, and much of life and death. Or the star-beams dart through them. Winds contend And what were thou and earth and stars and sea, MARIANNE'S DREAM. I. A PALE Dream came to a Lady fair, 2. And things are lost in the glare of day, Which I can make the sleeping see If they will put their trust in me. "And thou shalt know of things unknown, 3. At first all deadly shapes were driven 4. And, as towards the east she turned, 5. The sky was blue as the summer sea; There was no sight or sound of dread, 6. The Lady grew sick with a weight of fear And veiled her eyes. She then did hear Of the blood in her own veins to and fro. 7. There was a mist in the sunless air, Which shook as it were with an earthquake shock; But the very weeds that blossomed there Were moveless, and each mighty rock Stood on its basis steadfastly; The anchor was seen no more on high. 8. But piled around, with summits hid 9. On two dread mountains, from whose crest Those tower-encircled cities stood. 10. And columns framed of marble white, Shot o'er the vales, or lustre lent II. But still the Lady heard that clang On those high domes her look she cast. 12. Sudden from out that city sprung A light that made the earth grow red; Its sulphurous ruin on the plains. 13. And hark! a rush, as if the deep Had burst its bonds! She looked behind, A raging flood descend, and wind 14. And now those raging billows came Where that fair Lady sate; and she From every tower and every dome, O'er that vast flood's suspended foam, 16. The plank whereon that Lady sate Was driven through the chasms, about and about, Of the drowning mountains, in and out, 17. At last her plank an eddy crossed, And bore her to the city's wall, Which now the flood had reached almost ; To hear the fire roar and hiss Through the domes of those mighty palaces. 18. The eddy whirled her round and round Like nothing human, but the fairest Of winged shapes whose legions range 20. And, as she looked, still lovelier grew Of his own mind did there endure 21. She looked. The flames were dim, the flood Those marble shapes then seemed to quiver, And their fair limbs to float in motion Like weeds unfolding in the ocean. 22. And their lips moved,- -one seemed to speak,- 23. The dizzy flight of that phantom pale Of her dark eyes the Dream did creep. Marlow. DEATH. THEY die-the dead return not. Misery A youth with hoary hair and haggard eye. They are the names of kindred, friend, and lover, Which he so feebly calls. They all are gone, These tombs,-alone remain. Misery, my sweetest friend, oh! weep no more! Thou wilt not be consoled? I wonder not: For I have seen thee from thy dwelling's door Watch the calm sunset with them, and this spot |