Classic Poem

I lay and slept; slept peacefully,
All pain and care dispelled;
In dreams a vision came to me,
The fairest e'er beheld.

Pale as white marble to the view,
A maid of mystery rare,
With pearl-like eyes all brimmed with dew,
And strangely waving hair.

And soft and softly drawing nigh
The maid so marble pale,
She came upon my heart to lie,
The maid so marble pale.

Ah! how my breast doth burn and start
And leap with joy and woe;
Nor leaps, nor starts the maiden's heart,
That heart is cold as snow.

“My heart doth neither beat, nor move,
As very ice 'tis cold;
And yet I know the bliss of love,
Its passion uncontrolled!

“On lip and cheek there blooms no red,
Nor through my heart streams blood;
Yet strive not with such shuddering dread,
For thee I'm meek and good.”

And wilder still she clasped me round,
Till terror made me quail;
When the cock crew—without a sound
Fled the maid, marble pale.