Classic Poem

A DREAM came lately in the hours
To nightly slumber due;
It pictured forth no fairy bowers
To Fancy's raptured view;
It had not much of marvels strange,
Nor aught of wild and frequent change: —

But all seem'd real — ay! as much,
As now the page I trace
Is palpable to sight and touch;
Then how could doubt have place?
Yet was I not from doubt exempt,
But ask'd myself if still I dreamt.

I felt I did; but spite of this,
Ev'n thus in dreams to meet,
Had much, too much of dearest bliss,
Though not enough to cheat:
I knew the vision soon would fade,
And yet I bless'd it while it stay'd.

But oh, thy look! It was not one
That earthly features wear;
Nor was it aught to fear or shun,
As fancied spectres are:
'Twas gentle, pure, and passionless,
Yet full of heavenly tenderness.

One thing was strange. — It seem'd to me
We were not long alone;
But many more were circling thee,
Whom thou on earth hadst known;
Who seem'd as greeting thy return
From some unknown, remote sojourn.

To them thou wast as others be
Whom on this earth we love;
I marvell'd much they could not see
Thou camest from above;
And often to myself I said,
" How can they thus approach the dead? "

But though all these, with fondness warm,
Said " Welcome! " o'er and o'er,
Still that expressive shade, or form,
Was silent, as before!
And yet its stillness never brought
To them one hesitating thought.

I only knew thee as thou wert ,
A being not of earth!
Yet had I not the power to exert
My voice to check their mirth;
For blameless mirth was theirs, to see,
Once more a friend beloved like thee.

And so apart from all I stood,
Till tears, though not of grief,
Afforded, to that speechless mood,
A soothing, calm relief:
And, happier than if speech were free,
I stood, and watch'd thee silently!

I watch'd thee silently, and while
I mused on days gone by,
Thou gav'st me one celestial smile,
One look that cannot die.
It was a moment worthy years!
I woke, and found myself in tears.