Classic Poem

Strown with leaves, my study-table
Is a cheerful sight to see,
While my porcelain-shaded candles
Shed their mellow light on me,
And the sea-coal burns superbly
In the just-replenished grate,
And the clock, with vocal finger,
Tells me it is waxing late.

Midnight — what a blessed season!
Outward noises sink to sleep,
As to one who travels landward,
Lessen murmurs from the deep.
I am all alone, and nothing
Interrupts the great repose,
Save my own heart's beating, peaceful
As the fall of snows on snows.

Solitude, my darling, fondly
Draweth closer to my side;
Who shall say I am not happy
With my visionary bride?
Hers is love that, never changing,
Brightens in the shade of years,
Ever lending mirth to laughter,
Silent sympathy to tears.

Richly glow the crimson curtains,
Deepening in the ruddy blaze;
Books with old, familiar faces
Smile like friends of former days.
Dear companions! ye are vanished,
Vanished in the darkening past,
But at midnight beam your foreheads
Bright as when I saw you last.

Hour of calm and sweet reunion
Of all pleasant forms and things!
Wretched he to whom thy quiet
No delight nor solace brings.
Dance, ye gay, in chambers brilliant
With the flash of gems and flame;
Chase the flying phantom, Pleasure,
As the poet chaseth Fame!

Unto me with purer transport
Comes the weird and witching time —
Memory of joys departed,
Happy dreams and hopes sublime!
Midnight, in thy hushed seclusion
All my loved ones round me stand —
Living some, and some by Fancy
Beckoned from the spirit-land!