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THE TOILER'S DREAM, by                    
First Line: "not in the laughing bowers,"
Last Line: Thus do I dream
Variant Title(s): The Dreamer;the Dreamer
Subject(s): Adversity;labor & Laborers


NOT in the laughing bowers,
Where by green swinging elms a pleasant shade
At summer's noon is made,
And where swift-footed hours
Steal the rich breath of enamored flowers,
Dream I. Nor where the golden glories be,
At sunset, laving o'er the flowing sea;
And to pure eyes the faculty is given
To trace a smooth ascent from Earth to Heaven!

Not on a couch of ease,
With all the appliances of joy at hand,—
Soft light, sweet fragrance, beauty at command;
Viands that might a godlike palate please,
And music's soul-creative ecstasies,
Dream I. Nor gloating o'er a wide estate,
Till the full, self-complacent heart elate,
Well satisfied with bliss of mortal birth,
Sighs for an immortality on Earth!

But where the incessant din
Of iron hands, and roar of brazen throats,
Join their unmingled notes,
While the long summer day is pouring in,
Till day is gone, and darkness doth begin,
Dream I,—as in the corner where I lie,
On wintry nights, just covered from the sky!—
Such is my fate,—and, barren though it seem,
Yet, thou blind, soulless scorner, yet I dream!

And yet I dream,—
Dream what, were men more just, I might have been;
How strong, how fair, how kindly and serene,
Glowing of heart, and glorious of mien;
The conscious crown to Nature's blissful scene,
In just and equal brotherhood to glean,
With all mankind, exhaustless pleasure keen,—
Such is my dream!

And yet I dream,—
I, the despised of fortune, lift mine eyes,
Bright with the luster of integrity,
In unappealing wretchedness, on high,
And the last rage of Destiny defy;
Resolved alone to live,—alone to die,
Nor swell the tide of human misery!

And yet I dream,—
Dream of a sleep where dreams no more shall come,
My last, my first, my only welcome home!
Rest, unbeheld since Life's beginning stage,
Sole remnant of my glorious heritage,
Unalienable, I shall find thee yet,
And in thy soft embrace the past forget!
Thus do I dream!





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