Читать книгу The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell - James Russell Lowell - Страница 214

And if it be a dream,

If the great Future be the little Past

'Neath a new mask, which drops and shows at last

The same weird, mocking face to balk and blast, 120

Yet, Muse, a gladder measure suits the theme,

And the Tyrtæan harp

Loves notes more resolute and sharp,

Throbbing, as throbs the bosom, hot and fast:

Such visions are of morning,

Theirs is no vague forewarning,

The dreams which nations dream come true.

And shape the world anew;

If this be a sleep, 129

Make it long, make it deep,

O Father, who-sendest the harvests men reap!

While Labor so sleepeth,

His sorrow is gone,

No longer he weepeth,

But smileth and steepeth

His thoughts in the dawn;

He heareth Hope yonder

Rain, lark-like, her fancies,

His dreaming hands wander

Mid heart's-ease and pansies; 140

''Tis a dream! 'Tis a vision!'

Shrieks Mammon aghast;

'The day's broad derision

Will chase it at last;

Ye are mad, ye have taken

A slumbering kraken

For firm land of the Past!'

Ah! if he awaken,

God shield us all then, 149

If this dream rudely shaken

Shall cheat him again!