Parerga/Hush'd as the Sleep of Infant Love

HUSH'D AS THE SLEEP OF INFANT LOVE.

I.
Hush'd, as the sleep of Infant Love,
The weary world was lying;
In dreamy whispers waved the wood,
Its shadows slumbering on the flood,
That slumber'd softly sighing.
The clouds that streak'd th' ethereal blue
In slender ranks together drew,
As if they loved to linger there,
And muse o'er scenes so calm and fair.
The starlight glitter'd in the stream,
And look'd with trembling eye
Up to the steady starlight's gleam,
That glow'd mid deepest sky;—
Like one who loves, but doubts and fears;
Whose timid gaze, mid glistening tears,
Watches the loved-one's glance of light
So softly and serenely bright.

II.
All outward things below, above,
The spirit of repose and love
Had steeped, as dews the flower;
And o'er the world of inner'sense
Was shed the gentle influence
Of that sweet midnight hour.
'Twas doubly dear to think of thee,
Because I felt my soul to be
From earthly care and sorrow free.
The tears gush'd from my eyes,
Sweet as the showers of vernal skies.
More sweet I felt those tears to be
Because they were inspired by thee.

III.
Oh that the Visionary's creed
Spake truly to the heart,
That souls of those who fondly love
May spring from earth, as springs the dove
On eager wing, and meet above,
Although our forms on earth must move
From what we love apart!
It was not all an idle dream;—
For, gazing thus upon the gleam
Of light and life through yonder skies,
I cannot think of worldly things,
But, borne on love's imaginings,
My spirit seems to rise.
And while such visions o'er me steal,
The deep unearthly bliss I feel,
Which youthful passion poured o'er me
When, Dearest, first I gazed on thee.