I heard the dogs howl in the moonlight night; <br />I went to the window to see the sight; <br />All the Dead that ever I knew <br />Going one by one and two by two. <br /> <br />On they pass'd, and on they pass'd; <br />Townsfellows all, from first to last; <br />Born in the moonlight of the lane, <br />Quench'd in the heavy shadow again. <br /> <br />Schoolmates, marching as when they play'd <br />At soldiers once - but now more staid; <br />Those were the strangest sight to me <br />Who were drown'd, I knew, in the awful sea. <br /> <br />Straight and handsome folk, bent and weak, too; <br />Some that I loved, and gasp'd to speak to; <br />Some but a day in their churchyard bed; <br />Some that I had not known were dead. <br /> <br />A long, long crowd - where each seem'd lonely, <br />Yet of them all there was one, one only, <br />Raised a head or look'd my way; <br />She linger'd a moment - she might not stay. <br /> <br />How long since I saw that fair pale face! <br />Ah! Mother dear! might I only place <br />My head on thy breast, a moment to rest, <br />While thy hand on my tearful cheek were prest! <br /> <br />On, on, a moving bridge they made <br />Across the moon-stream, from shade to shade, <br />Young and old, women and men; <br />Many long-forgot, but remembered then, <br /> <br />And first there came a bitter laughter; <br />A sound of tears a moment after; <br />And then a music so lofty and gay, <br />That eve morning, day by day, <br />I strive to recall it if I may.<br /><br />William Allingham<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-dream-6/
