 | Benoni |  |
169
SELENE.
She laid her down in peace to sleep, and soonShe felt the vivid day-life dying down,—
And sleep arose and prosper'd, and engulf'd
Her as she gazed, absorbing from her spirit
The knowledge of his coming: thought and sense
Darken'd and sank within her; the firm frame
Of her set mind was loosen'd, and dissolved
Its special treasures one by one, as pearls
In nectar'd wine, into the ambrosial soul:
And indistinctness flicker'd,—and a mist
Came o'er the rims of memories,—and all fancy
Grew faint and vague and distant; and at length
She pass'd the secret bounds of self, and slid
Into unconsciousness. Then did all fair
Sweet things and quaint make ready to immerge
Themselves within her halcyon soul, and bid
170
Ætherial; lighting up her quiet heart
With moonlight of dear dreams: thus evermore
Swathed in creative heavens of her own
She lay and slept; and always as she slept
The calm grey hours pass'd smoothly o'er her eyes,
From midnight unto morning, till the dawn
Had brighten'd out of twilight; then she woke.
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