III.
Reading edition
I DREAM’D I LAY.
[These melancholy verses were written when the poet was some seventeen years old: his early days were typical of his latter.]
I.
I dream’d I lay where flowers were springing Gaily in the sunny beam; List’ning to the wild birds singing, By a falling crystal stream: Straight the sky grew black and daring; Thro’ the woods the whirlwinds rave; Trees with aged arms were warring. O’er the swelling drumlie wave.
II.
Such was my life’s deceitful morning, Such the pleasure I enjoy’d: But lang or noon, loud tempests storming, A’ my flowery bliss destroy’d. Tho’ fickle fortune has deceiv’d me, She promis’d fair, and perform’d but ill; Of mony a joy and hope bereav’d me, I bear a heart shall support me still.