POET'S CORNER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 22, 7 June 1851, Page 7

POET'S CORNER.

THE DREAMER. From " Poems Jjij a Seamstress." Not in the laughing bowers, Where by green twining elms, a pleasant shade At Summer's noon is made, And where swift-footed hours Steal the rich breath of enamoured flow'rs, 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 god-like palate please, And music's soul-creative ecstacies, Dream I. Nor gloating o'er a wild 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 roars of blazen throats, Join their unmindful 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, Ou 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 lustre of integrity, In unappealing wretchedness ou high, And the last rage of Destiny defy ; Resolved alone to live—alono to die, Nor swell the tide of human misery! And yet, I dream— Dream of v sleep where dreams no more shall come, My last, my first, my only welcome home! Rest—unbeheld since Life's beginning stage, Solo remnant of my glorious heritage, Unalienabk-, I shall find thee yet, And, in thy soft embrace, the past forgot. Thus do I dream!