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.