Irene's Dream
Peopled its o'ergrown and fantastic wilds,
But in some sweeping ruin passed away,
As great primeval forests fall in flames;
And the new race that burnt it off the land,
As a devouring fire, was heir to all . . . .
Flor. Continue—do not hesitate; I hear
With reverence . . . . This or something like to this,
I do know. Tell me more.
Irene. How strange it seems
To talk about the mysteries of things
At last to human ears in the broad day.
I have lived so long in silence and in dreams.
Flor. And I, fresh from the noisy, busy world
Of glare and labour, find it strange to light
On such a green oasis of sweet rest,
And hear the beauteous marvels told at leisure
By one who toils not, and who lives on beauty.
Finish your wonder-tale.
Irene. You know then how
Some shadows linger still of the old race,
Which, dwindled to a shadow of itself,
Survives in the frail elfin essences,
Bloodless and sinewless and beautiful,
That now arc fading fast to nothingness,
But still in some rare chosen spots are found—
Such as this garden.
Flor. Are you very sure
But in some sweeping ruin passed away,
As great primeval forests fall in flames;
And the new race that burnt it off the land,
As a devouring fire, was heir to all . . . .
Flor. Continue—do not hesitate; I hear
With reverence . . . . This or something like to this,
I do know. Tell me more.
Irene. How strange it seems
To talk about the mysteries of things
At last to human ears in the broad day.
I have lived so long in silence and in dreams.
Flor. And I, fresh from the noisy, busy world
Of glare and labour, find it strange to light
On such a green oasis of sweet rest,
And hear the beauteous marvels told at leisure
By one who toils not, and who lives on beauty.
Finish your wonder-tale.
Irene. You know then how
Some shadows linger still of the old race,
Which, dwindled to a shadow of itself,
Survives in the frail elfin essences,
Bloodless and sinewless and beautiful,
That now arc fading fast to nothingness,
But still in some rare chosen spots are found—
Such as this garden.
Flor. Are you very sure
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