Irene's Dream
To its full joy—each in their way, they love me.
You do not understand how good, how true,
How perfect are their natures. And in truth
There are more things you know not I could tell;
For, though alone, I have not been untaught.
Flor. You are a priestess speaking mysteries.
Tell me of this strange science that you boast,
And who your teachers are.
Irene.They are my dreams.
My dreams recall to me what infancy
Witnessed perhaps, and heard unconsciously.
I have no waking memory of the time
When I was not an orphan.
Flor. Oh, go on!
Irene. I am used to the strange things that come tome;
Yet sometimes I have moments of deep wonder.
Father and mother I have never known;
But in my dreams they talk to me and teach me.
My father to this very lawn has led me,
And with a soundless voice and shadowy presence
Has pointed out and named to me the stars,
From whence the secrets of the Universe
Shall one day be revealed to our blind race
Now feeling in the dark—where, step by step,
From planet up to planet, sun to sun,
Each centre of new Planet-worshippers—
You do not understand how good, how true,
How perfect are their natures. And in truth
There are more things you know not I could tell;
For, though alone, I have not been untaught.
Flor. You are a priestess speaking mysteries.
Tell me of this strange science that you boast,
And who your teachers are.
Irene.They are my dreams.
My dreams recall to me what infancy
Witnessed perhaps, and heard unconsciously.
I have no waking memory of the time
When I was not an orphan.
Flor. Oh, go on!
Irene. I am used to the strange things that come tome;
Yet sometimes I have moments of deep wonder.
Father and mother I have never known;
But in my dreams they talk to me and teach me.
My father to this very lawn has led me,
And with a soundless voice and shadowy presence
Has pointed out and named to me the stars,
From whence the secrets of the Universe
Shall one day be revealed to our blind race
Now feeling in the dark—where, step by step,
From planet up to planet, sun to sun,
Each centre of new Planet-worshippers—
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