POEMS WRITTEN IN 1817. MARIANNE'S DREAM. I. A PALE Dream came to a Lady fair, And things are lost in the glare of day, II. "And thou shalt know of things unknown, III. At first all deadly shapes were driven And o'er the vast cope of bending heaven And the Lady ever looked to spy IV. And, as towards the east she turned, V. The sky was blue as the summer sea; There was no sight or sound of dread, VI. The Lady grew sick with a weight of fear Of the blood in her own veins to and fro. VII. There was a mist in the sunless air, Which shook as it were with an earthquake's 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. VIII. But piled around, with summits hid Two mighty cities shone, and ever Through the red mist their domes did quiver. IX. On two dread mountains, from whose crest Those tower-encircled cities stood. * X. And columns framed of marble white, With workmanship which could not come From touch of mortal instrument, Shot o'er the vales, or lustre lent XI. But still the Lady heard that clang Among the mountains shook alway; On those high domes her look she cast. XII. Sudden from out that city sprung A light that made the earth grow red; Two flames that each with quivering tongue Licked its high domes, and overhead Among those mighty towers and fanes Dropped fire, as a volcano rains Its sulphurous ruin on the plains. XIII. And hark! a rush, as if the deep Had burst its bonds! She looked behind, And saw over the western steep A raging flood descend, and wind Through that wide vale. She felt no fear, But said within herself, ""Tis clear These towers are Nature's own, and she To save them has sent forth the sea." XIV. And now those raging billows came And, on a little plank, the flow XV. The flames were fiercely vomited 1 O'er that vast flood's suspended foam, XVI. The plank whereon that Lady sate Was driven through the chasms, about and about, Between the peaks so desolate Of the drowning mountains, in and out, As the thistle-beard on a whirlwind sails- XVII. 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. XVIII. The eddy whirled her round and round XIX. For it was filled with sculptures rarest Of winged shapes whose legions range Marlow. XX. And, as she looked, still lovelier grew Of his own mind did there endure After the touch whose power had braided XXI. She looked. The flames were dim, the flood Winding through hills in solitude; Those marble shapes then seemed to quiver, And their fair limbs to float in motion Like weeds unfolding in the ocean. XXII. And their lips moved,-one seemed to speak,-- The statues gave a joyous scream,— XXIII. The dizzy flight of that phantom pale Of her dark eyes the Dream did creep. |