第145章 AN IDEAL

While the grey mists of early dawn Were lingering round the hill,And the dew was still upon the flowers,And the earth lay calm and still,A winged Spirit came to me Noble,and radiant,and free.

Folding his blue and shining wings,He laid his hand on mine.

I know not if I felt,or heard The mystic word divine,Which woke the trembling air to sighs,And shone from out his starry eyes.

The word he spoke,within my heart Stirred life unknown before,And cast a spell upon my soul To chain it evermore;Making the cold dull earth look bright,And skies flame out in sapphire light.

When noon ruled from the heavens,and man Through busy day toiled on,My Spirit drooped his shining wings;His radiant smile was gone;

His voice had ceased,his grace had flown,His hand grew cold within my own.

Bitter,oh bitter tears,I wept,Yet still I held his hand,Hoping with vague unreasoning hope:

I would not understand That this pale Spirit never more Could be what he had been before.

Could it be so?My heart stood still.

Yet he was by my side.

I strove;but my despair was vain;

Vain,too,was love and pride.

Could he have changed to me so soon?

My day was only at its noon.

Now stars are rising one by one,Through the dim evening air;Near me a household Spirit waits,With tender loving care;He speaks and smiles,but never sings,Long since he lost his shining wings.

With thankful,true content,I know This is the better way;Is not a faithful spirit mine -

Mine still--at close of day?...

Yet will my foolish heart repine For that bright morning dream of mine.