University of Virginia Library

The Dream, beginning with the Description of Night.

An awful silence, like a full swol'n main,
Does in deep Pomp o'er the Creation Reign.
The quiet night it's gloomy darkness spreads,
O'er all the Plains, o'er all the flow'ry Meads,
And sits in dismal triumph o'er the Shades.
Dissolv'd in silence all the World appears,
As if entranc'd for many thousand Years.
The sullen Heav'n no dusky twilight yields,
But thick, damp Fogs lie heavy on the Fields.
Thro' all the Lawns no fleeting shadow flies,
So drowzy now, they have not Pow'r to rise.
No Golden drops of light the Skies adorn,
Nor ruddy East displays a rising Morn.
The gather'd Heaven it's dull Creation Shrowds,
And drooping Mountains lean their Heads on Clouds.
The bending Trees with full grown Fruits appear,
As so at first they had their being here.
The Ripen'd Corn with it's own burthen prest,
No longer Nods, but seems unmov'd, to rest.
The very Winds no further discord keep,
For they have Sung, and sigh'd themselves asleep.
The absent Moon seems now no Pow'r to know,
Nor are the Oceans heard to Ebb or flow.
No longer now the raving Billows roar,
But softest Breezes lull them on the shore.
The Brooks no more the Woods with Murmurs fill,
But, husht with purlings, as their fish, are still.
All this great Landskip of one Colour seems,
As if the Shining Sun ne'er painted it with Beams.
When rack'd with griefs, which from my pangs arose,
I seek my Bed, expecting there repose.
Methought, while Night thus kept her perfect Noon,
And no faint light came from the watchful Moon,
You, lov'd Amasia, blest your ravish'd Swain,
You fill'd my Soul in a delightful Scene.
On a calm, silent, Silver stream we rode,
Whilst thousand Tritons on the Waters trod,
You like a Venus, I, the Ocean's God.
The River's Banks were with tall Mirtles crown'd,
And spreading Groves, and Shades grew all around.
The tuneful Birds their sweetest Voices rais'd,
As if they knew whom their soft strains had pleas'd.
And the tall trees did all their branches bow,
Not with their weight, but with respect to you.
Our guilded Barge was by Young Dolphins drawn,
Just like a Chariot o'er the flowry Lawn.
Trappings adorn'd with Pearls, and Gemms, appear,
And Plumes of Coral their strong Heads did rear.
Our painted Seats bright, shining Beauties bore,
Which Gods might, (if not Charm'd with thee) adore.
Our Silver Oars, soft, smiling Cupids held,
While, fill'd with Pride, our Silken Topsails swell'd.
The Iv'ry Masts sustain'd Cœrulean Doves,
Which coo'd, and murmur'd in transporting Loves.
With wanton Gales blew Flags in furlings roll'd,
And Scarlet streamers flew, wrought o'er with Gold.
All o'er divine did the great Pomp appear,
The Watry Gods on Shells were sounding there,
And Sea-Nymphs dancing in soft measures here.
All the Attendance, Charming bright, like these,
The Paphian Queen has on her Mother Seas.
At the rich stern we sat, and all the while,
As if delighted, you appear'd to smile.
I saw your Eyes fixt on the Chrystal stream,
And with new longings mine were fixt on them.
Trumpets Marine did at a distance sound,
And all the Virgins softly Sung around,
For then our Joys, Just then were to be Crown'd.
The gentle Zephyrs in mild Breezes flew,
And the waves danc'd, as they were joyful too.
The stately Canopy above our head,
Shone with the blaze which glowing Roses made.
Strew'd all beneath, they in their blushes lay,
Like setting Skies in a Fair Summer's day.
When, O ye Gods! You dear, You darling Fair,
Look'd such kind looks as quite dispell'd my care,
All o'er in transport, with a gush of Joys,
On me you cast your lovely, loving Eyes.
Rush'd to my Arms, and did my Neck entwine,
While I with Extasies hung fast on thine,
And claspt thee closely, as a circling vine.
O all ye Pow'rs! our raptures were above
The vastest heights of any Mortal Love.
Not in the vulgar way did we enjoy
Where short Fruition does the Sweets destroy.
To a more Sacred height our wishes flew,
And our Souls mixt, as others Bodies do.