Last Night I Had a Dream

"Last night I had a dream.

A girl embellish in the scene"

To what rare beauty shall her young lady compare

Her clear brow shaded by her glossy hair?

Less dazzling pure the sacred Lotus shines

Flecked by the thronging bees in dusky lines —

Less bright the Moon, when a dark band of cloud

Enhances beauties which it could not shroud.

Behind her ear, ahead of barley drew

The eye to gaze upon its golden hue,

But then her cheek with glowing Saffron dyed

To richer beauty called the glance aside ;

Though from those lips where Beauty's guerdon lay

The vermeil tints were newly washed away.

Yet o'er them, as she smiled, a ray was thrown

Of quivering brightness that was all their own.

"Lay this dear foot upon thy lover's head

Crowned with the Moon ! " — the laughing maiden said

Who dyed her Lady's feet — no word spake she,

But beat her with her flower wreath playfully.

Then tiring-women took the jetty dye

To guard, not deck, the beauty of her eye

Whose languid half-shut glances might compare

With Lotus leaves just opening to the air ;

And as fresh gems adorned her neck and arms,

So quickly changing grew the Lady's charms.

Like some fair plant where bud succeeding bud

Unfolds new beauty; or a silver flood

Where gay birds follow quickly; or like Night,

When crowding stars come forth in all their light.

Often as the mirror would her glance beguile

She longed to meet her Lord's approving smile

Her tasteful skill the timid maid essays

To win one smile of love, one word of praise.