 | Prismatics |  |
AN EVENING REVERY.
AN EVENING REVERY.
I READ in some old book of mystic lore:
One of those gem-books, all illumined o'er
With vermeil flowers and azure buds, embraced
In latticed gold around the margin laced:
One of those gem-books, all illumined o'er
With vermeil flowers and azure buds, embraced
In latticed gold around the margin laced:
148
Stuffed with strong words, and quaint conceits—I fear
Not over tuneful they to gentle lady's ear:
To some, not all; for seated at thy feet,
Methinks I might that same harsh text repeat,
And even win thy smile; which like the sun,
Sheds life and light o'er all it looks upon;
But to begin again “the book,” ah me!
I cannot think of it; my thoughts are all of thee!
Have patience; well then, thus: it was my hap
To read a story of a wondrous cap,
“Old Fortunatus”, and the tale doth say
That when he would at once be far away
From where he was, 'twas but to don the hood,
And wish—and straight it chanced he was where'er he would.
Thus far I read, and folding down the place,
I sighed and wished mine were Fortunio's case,
Or that some fairy would bestow the prize,
So I might spurn the earth and cleave the skies,
Uplifted high as the dizzy heavens be,
Then downward speed to earth, and heaven again, and thee!
So sitting in the lamp-light's pensive gloom,
Methought sweet perfumes floated in the room,
Link after link of revery's golden chain
Stretched o'er the waste that lay between us twain;
Not over tuneful they to gentle lady's ear:
To some, not all; for seated at thy feet,
Methinks I might that same harsh text repeat,
And even win thy smile; which like the sun,
Sheds life and light o'er all it looks upon;
But to begin again “the book,” ah me!
I cannot think of it; my thoughts are all of thee!
Have patience; well then, thus: it was my hap
To read a story of a wondrous cap,
“Old Fortunatus”, and the tale doth say
That when he would at once be far away
From where he was, 'twas but to don the hood,
And wish—and straight it chanced he was where'er he would.
Thus far I read, and folding down the place,
I sighed and wished mine were Fortunio's case,
Or that some fairy would bestow the prize,
So I might spurn the earth and cleave the skies,
Uplifted high as the dizzy heavens be,
Then downward speed to earth, and heaven again, and thee!
So sitting in the lamp-light's pensive gloom,
Methought sweet perfumes floated in the room,
Link after link of revery's golden chain
Stretched o'er the waste that lay between us twain;
149
Tumultuous raptures every fibre thrilled
With love intense. And lo! I found the wish fulfilled!
I was with thee! thy presence filled the place,
And I was standing gazing on thy face;
Near thee, yet sad, my spirit seemed to wait,
Like the lorn Peri at the golden gate;
But with averted look you turned to part,
And then methought the pulse had stopped within my heart.
I saw thee lift the dew-drooped roses up,
I saw thee raise the lily's pearléd cup,
I marked the loving tendrils round thee cling,
And high above the wild-bird's welcoming:
The very sky thy presence bent to greet,
The very sunshine seemed as if 'twould kiss thy feet.
Then with a sigh I spake: “And has thy heart
For me not left one little nook apart,
One shaded, secret spot, where I may come
And comfort find—and peace; and call it—home?
Hast thou, in pity, none? or must my fate
Still be to wander on, unloved and desolate?”
Unanswered, back my fainting spirit flew;
O'er the broad page the flowery fretwork grew:
With love intense. And lo! I found the wish fulfilled!
I was with thee! thy presence filled the place,
And I was standing gazing on thy face;
Near thee, yet sad, my spirit seemed to wait,
Like the lorn Peri at the golden gate;
But with averted look you turned to part,
And then methought the pulse had stopped within my heart.
I saw thee lift the dew-drooped roses up,
I saw thee raise the lily's pearléd cup,
I marked the loving tendrils round thee cling,
And high above the wild-bird's welcoming:
The very sky thy presence bent to greet,
The very sunshine seemed as if 'twould kiss thy feet.
Then with a sigh I spake: “And has thy heart
For me not left one little nook apart,
One shaded, secret spot, where I may come
And comfort find—and peace; and call it—home?
Hast thou, in pity, none? or must my fate
Still be to wander on, unloved and desolate?”
Unanswered, back my fainting spirit flew;
O'er the broad page the flowery fretwork grew:
150
The lamp waxed bright, the crabbed text appeared,
And old Fortunio, with his silver beard,
Gleamed in the marge amid th' emblazoned flowers,
While from mine eyes fell tears like parting April showers.
And old Fortunio, with his silver beard,
Gleamed in the marge amid th' emblazoned flowers,
While from mine eyes fell tears like parting April showers.
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