 | Gathered poems of Ernest Myers |  |
90
A MOURNER'S DREAM
In dreams I visited the world below,
Where waking yet, alas, I may not go.
Where waking yet, alas, I may not go.
It was that night, I knew it in my dream,
Wherein her shade should reach the Stygian stream.
Wherein her shade should reach the Stygian stream.
On that drear bank, beneath the sombre air,
I waited shivering till her shade were there.
I waited shivering till her shade were there.
But envious ghosts closed round me as I stood,
Their chill hands on the fountain of my blood.
Their chill hands on the fountain of my blood.
So when she came I could not speak or stir;
I scarce had joy to look once more on her.
I scarce had joy to look once more on her.
91
Shrouded and veiled she to the shore drew nigh
Where that grim bark was waiting silently.
Where that grim bark was waiting silently.
Still veiled, she took her place within the boat;
She bowed her sweet head down, and knew me not.
She bowed her sweet head down, and knew me not.
She knew me not, and the ghosts froze my breath;
Little I won by that foretaste of death.
Little I won by that foretaste of death.
She took her place within the waiting bark,
And it moved forth upon that water dark.
And it moved forth upon that water dark.
Then once, but once, her breast heaved suddenly;
Then knew I well, that was a sigh for me.
Then knew I well, that was a sigh for me.
Ah me, but yet beyond this stream, I think,
Another water would they have thee drink.
Another water would they have thee drink.
But thou by Lethe's river, O my love,
Wilt not as yet be fain to drink thereof.
Wilt not as yet be fain to drink thereof.
| Gathered poems of Ernest Myers | |