Poems, Dialogues in Verse and Epigrams :: :: University of Virginia Library

It was a dream (ah! what is not a dream?)
In which I wander'd thro' a boundless space
Peopled by those that peopled earth erewhile.
But who conducted me? That gentle Power,
Gentle as Death, Death's brother. On his brow
Some have seen poppies; and perhaps among
The many flowers about his wavy curls
Poppies there might be; roses I am sure
I saw, and dimmer amaranths between.
Lightly I thought I lept across a grave
Smelling of cool fresh turf, and sweet it smelt.
I would, but must not linger; I must on,
To tell my dream before forgetfulness
Sweeps it away, or breaks or changes it.
I was among the Shades (if Shades they were)
And lookt around me for some friendly hand
To guide me on my way, and tell me all
That compast me around. I wisht to find
One no less firm or ready than the guide
Of Alighieri, trustier far than he,
Higher in intellect, more conversant
With earth and heaven and whatso lies between.
He stood before me . . Southey.

“Thou art he,”
Said I, “whom I was wishing.”

“That I know,”
Replied the genial voice and radiant eye.
“We may be question'd, question we may not;
For that might cause to bubble forth again
Some bitter spring which crost the pleasantest
And shadiest of our paths.”

“I do not ask,”
Said I, “about your happiness; I see
The same serenity as when we walkt

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Along the downs of Clifton. Fifty years
Have roll'd behind us since that summer-tide,
Nor thirty fewer since along the lake
Of Lario, to Bellaggio villa-crown'd,
Thro' the crisp waves I urged my sideling bark,
Amid sweet salutation off the shore
From lordly Milan's proudly courteous dames.”
“Landor! I well remember it,” said he,
“I had just lost my first-born only boy,
And then the heart is tender; lightest things
Sink into it, and dwell there evermore.”

The words were not yet spoken when the air
Blew balmier; and around the parent's neck
An Angel threw his arms: it was that son.
“Father! I felt you wisht me,” said the boy,
“Behold me here!”

Gentle the sire's embrace,
Gentle his tone. “See here your father's friend!”
He gazed into my face, then meekly said
“He whom my father loves hath his reward
On earth; a richer one awaits him here.”