Far off my dream, and yet unearthly fair1
The vision of thy beauty in my heart,2
Hov’ring between my thought and its despair,3
And mercifully keeping them apart.4
Sweet as the mother’s lullaby which brings5
Forgetfulness ’twixt infancy and tears ;6
Calm as the misty shade time wisely flings7
Between to-day, and past or future years.8
Dear as the last fond look the lover holds9
Between his heart and doubt’s oppressive gloom,10
Blest as the radiant vista Faith unfolds,11
To part the mourner from eternal doom.12
Thus thou with me, my dream of comfort stay !13
My Hope, my Life in Death, pass not away !14