Swift as sound of music fled <br />When no more the organ sighs, <br />Sped as all old days are sped, <br />So your lips, love, and your eyes, <br />So your gentle-voiced replies <br />Mine one hour in sleep that seem, <br />Rise and flit when slumber flies, <br />Following darkness like a dream! <br /> <br />Like the scent from roses red, <br />Like the dawn from golden skies, <br />Like the semblance of the dead <br />From the living love that hies, <br />Like the shifting shade that lies <br />On the moonlight-silvered stream, <br />So you rise when dreams arise, <br />Following darkness like a dream! <br /> <br />Could some spell, or sung or said, <br />Could some kindly witch and wise, <br />Lull for aye this dreaming head <br />In a mist of memories, <br />I would lie like him who lies <br />Where the lights on Latmos gleam, - <br />Wake not, find not Paradise <br />Following darkness like a dream! <br /> <br />ENVOY. <br /> <br />Sleep, that giv'st what Life denies, <br />Shadowy bounties and supreme, <br />Bring the dearest face that flies <br />Following darkness like a dream!<br /><br />Andrew Lang<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ballade-of-the-dream/
