A dream came to me while the night
Thinned off before the breath of morn,
Which filled my soul with such delight
As hers who clasps a babe new-born.
I saw—in countenance like a child—
(Three years methought were hers, no more)
That maid and mother undefiled
The Saviour of the world who bore.
A nun-like veil was o'er her thrown;
Her locks by fillet-bands made fast,
Swiftly she climbed the steps of stone;—
Into the Temple swiftly passed.
Not once she paused her breath to take;
Not once cast back a homeward look:—
As longs the hart his thirst to slake,
When noontide rages, in the brook,
So longed that child to live for God;
So pined, from earth's enthralments free,
To bathe her wholly in the flood
Of God's abysmal purity!
Anna and Joachim from far
Their eyes on that white vision raised:
And when, like caverned foam or star
Cloud-hid, she vanished, still they gazed.