Page:The Midsummer Night.djvu/42

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SHAKESPEARE (slowly awakes)

Where am I? oh! where have I been? who spoke?
How heavenly pure seems every breath I draw!
How sunny bright the rushing thoughts, that chase
Each other through my soul! and oh, how sweet
The melody, still echoing on my ear!
What spot was that I saw, veil'd in soft mist?
Where have ye vanished, bright celestial forms?
Are your enchanting voices silent now?
Ah me! It was but a delicious dream!—
Day dawns apace—how cheerful is this place
That lately look'd to me so blank and drear.
My very spirit seems to grow more light
As I inhale this fresh elastic air.
What means this longing for some good unknown?
Why beats my heart so wildly? Whence this deep
Emotion, that would fain have vent in tears?
'Twas never so before—e'en the green wood
Wears new a different look from yesterday.
Yonder shines Hesperus, and there the sun