6
In sweetest dream, in stillest night
My love came by enchantment's might,
As by enchantment's might she crept
To the small chamber where I slept.
I gazed on her, oh vision mild!
I gazed on her, she softly smiled;
My heart swelled high that smile to see,
And reckless words stormed forth from me:
“Take all, take all things that are mine!
Oh best beloved, all shall be thine,
So I may be thy paramour
Till cock-crow from the midnight hour!”
She gazed with loving sad surprise,
Her inmost heart within her eyes,
And low entreating murmured she:
“Yield thy salvation unto me!”
“To thee the life I hold so dear,
My youth, my blood, with joy and cheer,
Oh angel maiden, shall be given,
But never more my hope of Heaven.”
Swiftly my lips repelled her prayer,
But ever lovelier bloomed she there,
And ever more entreated she:
“Yield thy salvation unto me!”
It sounded like a hopeless moan;
Into my being's depths was thrown
A sea of fire all tempest-tossed;
My breath came thick—it ceased almost.
White angels, glorious to behold,
First shone with haloes bright as gold;
But then a crew of goblins foul
Rushed wildly up against my soul.
They wrestled with the angels all,
They drove away the angels all;
And before long the swarthy crew,
Like films of mist had vanished too.
I was near death with sheer delight,
My arms were round my darling bright;
She nestled to me like a roe,
And yet she wept with wildest woe.
The fair child weeps, I well know why;
My kisses still the rosebud's cry;
“Forbid, fair child, thy tears to flow,
Surrender to my love's fierce glow.”
“Surrender to my love's fierce glow!”
My blood grew sudden ice, for lo!
The earth itself with crash and start
Before my feet gaped wide apart.
From the swart gulf the swarthy crew
Arose; the fair child's colour flew;
The fair child from my arms was gone,
And I was standing all alone.
Then in fantastic circle hurled,
The swarthy crew around me whirled;
Nearer to clutch me surged the crowd,
And scornful laughter bellowed loud.
The lessening circle hemmed me round;
Still did that burthen dread resound:
“Salvation was renounced by thee,
Ours art thou for Eternity.”
My love came by enchantment's might,
As by enchantment's might she crept
To the small chamber where I slept.
I gazed on her, oh vision mild!
I gazed on her, she softly smiled;
My heart swelled high that smile to see,
And reckless words stormed forth from me:
“Take all, take all things that are mine!
Oh best beloved, all shall be thine,
So I may be thy paramour
Till cock-crow from the midnight hour!”
She gazed with loving sad surprise,
Her inmost heart within her eyes,
And low entreating murmured she:
“Yield thy salvation unto me!”
“To thee the life I hold so dear,
My youth, my blood, with joy and cheer,
Oh angel maiden, shall be given,
But never more my hope of Heaven.”
Swiftly my lips repelled her prayer,
But ever lovelier bloomed she there,
And ever more entreated she:
“Yield thy salvation unto me!”
It sounded like a hopeless moan;
Into my being's depths was thrown
A sea of fire all tempest-tossed;
My breath came thick—it ceased almost.
White angels, glorious to behold,
First shone with haloes bright as gold;
But then a crew of goblins foul
Rushed wildly up against my soul.
They wrestled with the angels all,
They drove away the angels all;
And before long the swarthy crew,
Like films of mist had vanished too.
I was near death with sheer delight,
My arms were round my darling bright;
She nestled to me like a roe,
And yet she wept with wildest woe.
The fair child weeps, I well know why;
My kisses still the rosebud's cry;
“Forbid, fair child, thy tears to flow,
Surrender to my love's fierce glow.”
“Surrender to my love's fierce glow!”
My blood grew sudden ice, for lo!
The earth itself with crash and start
Before my feet gaped wide apart.
From the swart gulf the swarthy crew
Arose; the fair child's colour flew;
The fair child from my arms was gone,
And I was standing all alone.
Then in fantastic circle hurled,
The swarthy crew around me whirled;
Nearer to clutch me surged the crowd,
And scornful laughter bellowed loud.
The lessening circle hemmed me round;
Still did that burthen dread resound:
“Salvation was renounced by thee,
Ours art thou for Eternity.”
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