The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-18
WASHINGTON, ID. c.
For the National Era.
A MIDSUMMER DREAM IN THE WOODS.
BY ]. T. TRowBRIDGE.

BIZ j. Il. IhON bklD6fs
Once, when Apollo seemed to swoon
Before the golden gate of noon,
Within wood made my seat,
At a lordly oak trees spreading feet
And YEARLY my head had sunk
Against the rough and rugged trunk
NV limbs reclined on the MOSES dank
Of purling brooklet's sloping bank
And in the ripping wave, that slipped
Der roots and pebbles my fingers dipped;
And by my feet the waters crepti
And light breeze on my forehead swept
And birds were singing, and squirrels springir
Above me, in the green boughs swinging
And in the midst of all slept.
[ slept TO the music Of the stream;
And heard its music in my dream.
But then methought it was the sound
Of fairy footballs rustlng round;
And suddenly seemed to see
A dancing choir encircle me;
And one, who wore n crown, before
My dreaming eyes garland bore,
And, laying it lightly on my head,
In tones Of ringing silver said:
/" This sylvan talisman bring
To thee, the wood-nymphs' chosen king"
trembled, kneeling but, quickly feeling
A sweet enchantment DER me stealing,
Rose at the touch Of her dewy wing
rose in wonder and surprise,
For never had my waking eyes
A being of such beauty seen
As she, the witching woodland queen
Her wings were white, her brow was bright,
And the e-leaves Of her lips the light
fpurest pearls within revealed, -
0ossamer robe but half concealed
The taper and swell of her fairy form
Her eve was soft and her cheek was warm.
And, laying her lily hand in mine,
To the greenwood nymphs she made sign
And all advancing, half flying, halfdancing,
Still with songs my sense enhancing,
Their white arms round me seemed to Irvine.
With their shining arms that twined around
Nv form and raised me from the ground,
A graceful soft sedan they wove;
And, flying through the shadowy grove,
Their garments mid the LEAKAGE cleaning,
And floating golden tresses streaming
Behind them on the rushing air,
They bore me to palace fair
Deep in the wildwood cool and green,
Where never mortal foot had been.
saw the glowing doors unfold,
And they bore me into halls of gold
And alabaster, brighter, yaster,
Than halls of any mortal master,
And crowned me monarch of the void.
They crowned me king and then methought
An icy chalice of dew was brought,
And given my fevored lips to drink
And while I slipped, and seemed to sink
Tnebriate at the fay-queen's feet
Upon a a-grscn tufted seat,
She fondIy folded me in her arms,
And pilOwed my cheek amid the charms
Of her glowing bosom, soft and white
And fairies, sent like shafts of light
Through floating clouds of incense, broke
A chain Of wreaths of leaves Of oak,
And danced before US, while grandly er US
Swelled deep, mysterious chorus
And in the midst of ALL woke.
| woke beneath the shadows dim
Which many trunk and leafy limb
And Bonded branch around me cast
Apollo, who long before had past
The fiery noon resplendont gate,
At evenings dusky threshold safe,
And the beings of my dream were gone.
woke to find myself alone;
| woke. and stood in the solemn wood
In the deepening, darkening solitude;
Alone, alone by the babbling stream;
But heard the owl above me scream,
And a squirrel that hung the boughs among
For dizzy moment chung and swung,
The light twigs breaking, the foliage shaking,
A itful, musical rustling making
Then lightly up the linden sprung.