FROM MAIKOF.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.
For a long time last night I for sleep vainly yearned.I arose, my room window wide throwing;The night with its silence oppressed me, and burned,O’er me odours intoxicant blowing.Of a sudden the hedge ’neath my window-sill shook;My curtain blew back with a shimmer;And in floated a youth with a beaming look,Just as if from the moonlight a glimmer.Gliding up to my couch, came my wonderful guest,Whispered he, as a smile his lips parted,“Why from me, with your cheek ’neath the pillow prest,Like a startled wee fish, have you darted?“Look up! I’m a god—god of visions and dreams,Secret friend of the innocent maiden;And for thee, my own queen, for the first time, I ween,With a bliss from on high come I laden!”He spoke—and his hands my face lovingly seek;From its nook he it tenderly presses;Then a burning kiss fell on the curve of my cheek,And his lips sought my lips in caresses.Neath the breath of his mouth my strength seemed to have flown,From my breast unclaspt arms I extended,And there breathed in my ears, “You’re my own! you’re my own!”Distant notes, with harp’s melody blended!Swiftly glided the hours; when I opened my eyes,Rosy dawn through my chamber was streaming;Alone, locks dishevelled, I trembling arise,And I know not the drift of my dreaming.
For a long time last night I for sleep vainly yearned.I arose, my room window wide throwing;The night with its silence oppressed me, and burned,O’er me odours intoxicant blowing.Of a sudden the hedge ’neath my window-sill shook;My curtain blew back with a shimmer;And in floated a youth with a beaming look,Just as if from the moonlight a glimmer.Gliding up to my couch, came my wonderful guest,Whispered he, as a smile his lips parted,“Why from me, with your cheek ’neath the pillow prest,Like a startled wee fish, have you darted?“Look up! I’m a god—god of visions and dreams,Secret friend of the innocent maiden;And for thee, my own queen, for the first time, I ween,With a bliss from on high come I laden!”He spoke—and his hands my face lovingly seek;From its nook he it tenderly presses;Then a burning kiss fell on the curve of my cheek,And his lips sought my lips in caresses.Neath the breath of his mouth my strength seemed to have flown,From my breast unclaspt arms I extended,And there breathed in my ears, “You’re my own! you’re my own!”Distant notes, with harp’s melody blended!Swiftly glided the hours; when I opened my eyes,Rosy dawn through my chamber was streaming;Alone, locks dishevelled, I trembling arise,And I know not the drift of my dreaming.
For a long time last night I for sleep vainly yearned.I arose, my room window wide throwing;The night with its silence oppressed me, and burned,O’er me odours intoxicant blowing.
For a long time last night I for sleep vainly yearned.
I arose, my room window wide throwing;
The night with its silence oppressed me, and burned,
O’er me odours intoxicant blowing.
Of a sudden the hedge ’neath my window-sill shook;My curtain blew back with a shimmer;And in floated a youth with a beaming look,Just as if from the moonlight a glimmer.
Of a sudden the hedge ’neath my window-sill shook;
My curtain blew back with a shimmer;
And in floated a youth with a beaming look,
Just as if from the moonlight a glimmer.
Gliding up to my couch, came my wonderful guest,Whispered he, as a smile his lips parted,“Why from me, with your cheek ’neath the pillow prest,Like a startled wee fish, have you darted?
Gliding up to my couch, came my wonderful guest,
Whispered he, as a smile his lips parted,
“Why from me, with your cheek ’neath the pillow prest,
Like a startled wee fish, have you darted?
“Look up! I’m a god—god of visions and dreams,Secret friend of the innocent maiden;And for thee, my own queen, for the first time, I ween,With a bliss from on high come I laden!”
“Look up! I’m a god—god of visions and dreams,
Secret friend of the innocent maiden;
And for thee, my own queen, for the first time, I ween,
With a bliss from on high come I laden!”
He spoke—and his hands my face lovingly seek;From its nook he it tenderly presses;Then a burning kiss fell on the curve of my cheek,And his lips sought my lips in caresses.
He spoke—and his hands my face lovingly seek;
From its nook he it tenderly presses;
Then a burning kiss fell on the curve of my cheek,
And his lips sought my lips in caresses.
Neath the breath of his mouth my strength seemed to have flown,From my breast unclaspt arms I extended,And there breathed in my ears, “You’re my own! you’re my own!”Distant notes, with harp’s melody blended!
Neath the breath of his mouth my strength seemed to have flown,
From my breast unclaspt arms I extended,
And there breathed in my ears, “You’re my own! you’re my own!”
Distant notes, with harp’s melody blended!
Swiftly glided the hours; when I opened my eyes,Rosy dawn through my chamber was streaming;Alone, locks dishevelled, I trembling arise,And I know not the drift of my dreaming.
Swiftly glided the hours; when I opened my eyes,
Rosy dawn through my chamber was streaming;
Alone, locks dishevelled, I trembling arise,
And I know not the drift of my dreaming.