A Dream

A Dream

Original Text
Edgar A. Poe, The Raven and Other Poems (New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1845): 83 (J. Lorimer Graham copy in the Miriam Lutcher Stark Library, University of Texas). Facsimile edition by Thomas Ollive Mabbott (Facsimile Text Society, 1942). PS 2609 A1 1845A ROBA.
1In visions of the dark night
2     I have dreamed of joy departed--
3But a waking dream of life and light
4     Hath left me broken-hearted.
5Ah! what is not a dream by day
6     To him whose eyes are cast
7On things around him with a ray
8     Turned back upon the past?
9That holy dream--that holy dream,
10     While all the world were chiding,
11Hath cheered me as a lovely beam
12     A lonely spirit guiding.
13What though that light, thro' storm and night,
14     So trembled from afar--
15What could there be more purely bright

Notes

16] day-star: the sun Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1827
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 2.0.
Rhyme