Classic Poem

A PHANTASY .

In the cool, soft, fragrant summer grass,
In trembling stalks of white-tipped clover,
I lie and dream, as the shadows pass
From twilight's gates the cloud-bridge over.

On the other side, dim other side,
Lie starlight gloom, and the night's chill wind.
Calm Eve comes forth, like a timid bride,
And with shaded eyes looks on mankind; —
She looks at me, as I lounge and dream;
She builds in the sky for my delight
High-towered castles that glow and gleam
Redder than snow-crests in North fires bright.

She shows me Ceres in corn-flowers blue,
And Pluto's bride on her throne below,
And Helen fair, to her lord untrue,
Anguished and wailing in deathless woe;
Gold arabesques on a jasper ground,
Gray cameo-faces, cold and grand,
Puck and Peas-blossom hovering round
Oberon and his glittering band.

She changes her aspect, opal Eve! —
Shows me a plain near the walls of Troy,
Where shepherds' sheep in low shrubs leave
In haste, to gaze on a bright-haired boy —
The boy is Paris, he cometh out,
Out of the city, strong-limbed and fair.
Live I in future or past? I doubt
Am I Greek shepherd or gay trouvere —

Who lieth, dreaming perhaps of her,
oenone weeping for him, forlorn? —
Who strives with the plaintive lute to stir
Some love in a Norman heart of scorn?
Out of a balcon of hues that glow
There leans a lady against the sky;
Her robe is bordered with pearls, I know, —
Pearls on her neck with her pearl-skin vie.

There stands a lover in gay slashed hose,
With a bright plumed hat and purple cloak,
He calls her " lily " and " damask rose " ;
Even in cloudland they wear love's yoke.
Bold knights ride forward on prancing steeds,
King Arthur's court, with Sir Launcelot —
Presto! 'Tis Syrinx among the reeds,
Apollo seeks her, but finds her not.

I am so idle in summer grass,
I cannot think for scent of clover;
No moral I find in clouds that pass,
I only know that sunset's over.