Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONGS: 9. WHETHER SLEEPING, WHETHER WAKING by MARGARET LOUISA WOODS

Last Line: WHILE WE LOVERS LEAN AND MOCK THEM UNDER.
Subject(s): HEARTS; HEAVEN; LOVE - LOSS OF; MORTALITY; PARADISE;

@3Serenade of the Fairy Lover@1
Whether sleeping, whether waking,
Fairest dreams be thine to-night,
If my heart may have their making!
Unto thee, O young Delight,
Speed my wings, with odours laden.
Honey-sweet, gathered far,
Out of the Eden of every star,
Soft they charm thy dreaming eyelids, maiden.

Eyes from earthy blindness breaking,
Look on Heaven's joy to-night,
Whether sleeping, whether waking!
Mortal phantoms lose their might,
Dust that weaves thy mortal prison,
Wall of stone, gate of brass,
Be as vapour, change and pass
Shining round thee, O thou Light new risen!

Whether waking, whether sleeping,
Joy shall hold thy heart to-night,
If my heart may have its keeping.
Hand in hand up Heaven's height
Will we race and laugh in wonder;
Climb the moon's silver boat,
Sail in it where we will and float
Far among the golden islands yonder.
Hounds of Time never shall find
Track of us, baying along the wind,
While we lovers lean and mock them under.



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