I Dreamed of Forest Alleys Fair

I.

I DREAMED of forest alleys fair

And fields of gray-flowered grass,

Where by the yellow summer moon

My Jenny seemed to pass.

I dreamed the yellow summer moon,

Behind a cedar wood,

Lay white on fields of rippling grass

Where I and Jenny stood.

I dreamed — but fallen through my dream,

In a rainy land I lie

Where wan wet morning crowns the hills

Of grim reality.
II.

I am as one that keeps awake

All night in the month of June,

That lies awake in bed to watch

The trees and great white moon.

For memories of love are more

Than the white moon there above,

And dearer than quiet moonshine

Are the thoughts of her I love.
III.

Last night I lingered long without

My last of loves to see.

Alas! the moon-white window-panes

Stared blindly back on me.

To-day I hold her very hand,

Her very waist embrace —

Like clouds across a pool, I read

Her thoughts upon her face.

And yet, as now, through her clear eyes

I seek the inner shrine —

I stoop to read her virgin heart

In doubt if it be mine —

O looking long and fondly thus,

What vision should I see?

No vision, but my own white face

That grins and mimics me.
IV.

Once more upon the same old seat

In the same sunshiny weather,

The elm-trees’ shadows at their feet

And foliage move together.

The shadows shift upon the grass,

The dial point creeps on;

The clear sun shines, the loiterers pass,

As then they passed and shone.

But now deep sleep is on my heart,

Deep sleep and perfect rest.

Hope’s flutterings now disturb no more

The quiet of my breast.