University of Virginia Library

“SPARE ME MY DREAMS”

I

Relentless Time, that gives both harsh and kind,
Brave let me be
To take thy various gifts with equal mind,
And proud humility;
But, even by day, while the full sunlight streams,
Give me my dreams!

II

Whatever, Time, thou takest from my heart,
What from my life,
From what dear thing thou yet may'st make me part—
Plunge not too deep the knife;
As dies the day, and the long twilight gleams,
Spare me my dreams!