DREAMERS.

I. I saw her, though with earnest eyes bent low, Unheedful of the violets at her feet, That clustering in purple fragrance sweet Touched her white dress; absorbed in revery so, She knew not that the morning sunshine’s glow Was for her sake; and robins, fain to greet So fair a lady with a love-song meet, No recognition won from her below. O dreamer of a dream thy heart shall see Crowned with fulfillment when the dawn of day Has deepened into noontide’s richer gleam,— Lest I too rudely should awaken thee, With hushed and reverent step I steal away, Praying God bless the dreamer and the dream! II. I saw her with her tearful eyes raised high, Unheedful of the whirling flakes of snow, That flitting through the sad air to and fro Flecked her dark dress; cold from the leaden sky, The autumn winds came sobbing restless by, Wailing to find it still so cold below; While faded violets of a year ago, Pressed to her lips, hushed her own rising cry. O lonely dreamer of a dream long flown, I come to waken thee! for dying day In purple twilight shrouds the noontide gleam; And when the lovely visions that have grown So fair and dear flit vanishing away, God blesses dreamers who no longer dream.