A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.
TO D.E.L.
Too full our hearts of sorrowful delight,
Of parting converse, that one night, I ween,
For dream of Midsummer or Fairies' Queen;
As Thou sat'st near me, half in shade, half light,
The moonbeams touched thy forehead cold and white,
And Thou didst speak in moonlight! so serene
And soothing were thy words, and all thy mien,
Transparent as thy soul! when swift and bright
(So did our talk the short-lived night beguile)
The sun broke in to bid us make an end
With his beginning! Since that hour, dear friend,
I never think on Thee, so calm the while
Yet cheerful, but the sweetness seems to blend
Of moonlight and of sunlight in thy smile!
Of parting converse, that one night, I ween,
For dream of Midsummer or Fairies' Queen;
As Thou sat'st near me, half in shade, half light,
The moonbeams touched thy forehead cold and white,
And Thou didst speak in moonlight! so serene
And soothing were thy words, and all thy mien,
Transparent as thy soul! when swift and bright
(So did our talk the short-lived night beguile)
The sun broke in to bid us make an end
With his beginning! Since that hour, dear friend,
I never think on Thee, so calm the while
Yet cheerful, but the sweetness seems to blend
Of moonlight and of sunlight in thy smile!
