Irene's Dream
In any human language. Then it is
I know all wakeful creatures of the night
Are sharers in the fairy revelry;
Nay, sometimes, as I sink again to sleep,
With all that music trembling through my dreams,
A tiny, tinkling laughter blends with it,
And airy talk and rustlings to and fro,
Out in the rustling garden. Up I start,
And catch the last faint stirring of the small
Tumult below—then all is still again,
And I again am baffled.
Flor. So I fear
You will be always. You are too alone.
I would I could persuade you to come forth
And see what life is. There are other things
Than flowers and gardens on our planet, Earth;
And they are worth your seeing.
Irene. Tell me of them.
'Twill be a new delight to hear such things
Safe in my quiet home. Tell me your life
And all you do. An hour ago I asked you,
And yet you have not answered me.
Flor. An hour!
A lifetime rather. Such an hour as this.
I know all wakeful creatures of the night
Are sharers in the fairy revelry;
Nay, sometimes, as I sink again to sleep,
With all that music trembling through my dreams,
A tiny, tinkling laughter blends with it,
And airy talk and rustlings to and fro,
Out in the rustling garden. Up I start,
And catch the last faint stirring of the small
Tumult below—then all is still again,
And I again am baffled.
Flor. So I fear
You will be always. You are too alone.
I would I could persuade you to come forth
And see what life is. There are other things
Than flowers and gardens on our planet, Earth;
And they are worth your seeing.
Irene. Tell me of them.
'Twill be a new delight to hear such things
Safe in my quiet home. Tell me your life
And all you do. An hour ago I asked you,
And yet you have not answered me.
Flor. An hour!
A lifetime rather. Such an hour as this.
*****
Irene.I can scarce believe
How little time ago we had not met.
How little time ago we had not met.
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