Page:Poems Rossetti.djvu/283

So dream the sleepers,
 Each man in his place;
The lightning shows the smile
 Upon each face:
The ship is driving,—driving,—
 It drives apace:
And sleepers smile, and spirits
 Bewail their case.

The lightning glares and reddens
 Across the skies;
It seems but sunset
 To those sleeping eyes.
When did the sun go down
 On such a wise?
From such a sunset
 When shall day arise?

"Wake," call the spirits:
 But to heedless ears:
They have forgotten sorrows
 And hopes and fears;
They have forgotten perils
 And smiles and tears;
Their dream has held them long,
 Long years and years.

"Wake," call the spirits again:
 But it would take
A louder summons
 To bid them awake.