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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: 1 by DIGBY MACKWORTH DOLBEN

First Line: ONE NIGHT I DREAMT THAT IN A GLEAMING HALL
Last Line: YOU LAUGHED, AND IN GREAT BITTERNESS I WOKE.
Subject(s): DREAMS; NIGHTMARES;

ONE night I dreamt that in a gleaming hall
You played, and overhead the air was sweet
With waving kerchiefs; then a sudden fall
Of flowers; and jewels clashed about your feet.
Around you glittering forms, a starry ring,
In echo sang of youth and golden ease:
You leant to me a moment, crying -- 'Sing,
'If, as you say, you love me, sing with these.' --
In vain my lips were opened, for my throat
Was choked somewhence, my tongue was sore and dry,
And in my soul alone the answering note;
Till, in a piercing discord, one shrill cry,
As of a hunted creature, from me broke.
You laughed, and in great bitterness I woke.



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