Poetical Remains of the Late Mrs Hemans/Dreams of the Dead

by Felicia Hemans

For other versions of this work, see Sonnets, Devotional and Memorial. 2. IX. Dreams of the Dead.

III.

DREAMS OF THE DEAD.

Oft in still night-dreams a departed face
Bends o'er me with sweet earnestness of eye,
Wearing no more of earthly pains a trace,
But all the tender pity that may lie
On the clear brow of Immortality,
Calm yet profound. Soft rays illume that mien,
The unshadowed moonlight of some far off sky
Around it floats transparently serene
As a pure veil of waters. O rich sleep!
Thou hast strong spirits in thy regions deep,
Which glorify with reconciling breath,
Effacing, brightening, giving forth to shine
Beauty's high truth, and how much more divine
Thy power when linked in this, with thy stern brother—Death!