1

 

In visions of the dark night

I have dream'd of joy departed —

But a waking dream of life and light

Hath left me broken hearted:

 

2

 

And what is not a dream by day

To him whose eyes are cast

On things around him with a ray

Turn'd back upon the past?

 

3

 

That holy dream — that holy dream,

While all the world were chiding,

Hath cheer'd me as a lovely beam

A lonely spirit guiding:

 

4

 

What tho' that light, thro' storm and night

So trembled from afar —

What could there be more purely bright

In Truth's day-star? —