I know 'twas a dream, yet sweet was the theme,
And I strive to recall its splendor -
My soul upward leaps as Thought backward sweeps
To my dream so warm and so tender.
Where sea billows toss 'neath the bright Southern cross,
By the sea lay I idly dreaming,
While the stars burned a way from Night unto Day
And the waves like helmets were gleaming.
A maid came and stood at the neck of the wood
And her locks on the Night were streaming,
She was tall as pines that rock in the winds,
And her eyes like Orion were gleaming.
She came to me there and caught up her hair
And spread it a mantle above me -
O my soul grew sick and the hot air thick
As she whispered: 'Come sweet, now love me.'
I kissed the red mouth of th' passionate South,
Till my lips with kissing grew husky,
I looked in the eyes that were storm-charged skies,
'Neath the cloud of her thick locks dusky.
Then up the Day came with cohorts of flame
And the Soul of the South Wind left me,
And Joy fled away with the Rise of the Day,
For Day, of my Love had bereft me.
I know 'twas a dream, yet sweet was the theme,
And I strive to recall its splendor -
My soul upward leaps as Thought backward sweeps
To my dream so warm and so tender.