Dreams
As I came through the Valley Sleep
(Upon each side a frowning steep),
A dream my weighted steps o'ertook:
'I am the Fear thou wouldst not brook
Through all the hours of light,
But thrust my face from sight,
My whisper from thine ear;
Now close on thee I wait-
Thy secret Fear-
And I foreshadow fate!'
As I came through the Valley Sleep,
Where singing waters hidden creep,
A dream arose and kissed my brow:
'I am the Heart's Desire, whom thou
Wouldst lift no voice to greet,
Nor own me conquering-sweet,
A mounting cordial fire;
I am thy bosom-mate-
Deep Heart's Desire-
And I forshadow fate!'
Whoso comes through the Valley Sleep,
Whether he wakes to laugh or weep,
Meets with no herald from afar,
No warning gleam of natal star;
But, in her regal place,
And with no masking face,
Unhoodwinked and unbought,
Most pure, inviolate,
The lord of thought-
The Soul foreshadows fate!
Tip's Kitten
The master- he loved my kitten, my kitten;
She was still too weak to stand,
When he placed her upon one hand,
And over it laid the other,
And looked at me kindly, and said,
'Tip, you're a proud little mother!'
For they'd left me but one, my kitten, my kitten-
As sweet as a kitten could be-
And I loved her for all the three
They had taken away without warning.
I watched her from daylight till dark,
Watched her from night until morning!
I never left my kitten, my kitten
(For I feared- and I loved her so!)
Till I thought it time she should know
That cats in the house have a duty,
And a right to be proud of their skill,
As well as their grace and their beauty.
I only left my kitten, my kitten,
A few short moments in all,
To punish the mouse in the wall,
Each day growing bolder and bolder;
And I brought her the mouse to show
What kittens must do when older.
I brought her the mouse- my kitten, my kitten!
I tossed it, I caught it for her;
But she would not see, nor stir.
My heart it beat fast and faster;
And I caught her up in my mouth,
And carried her so, to the master.
I thought he would help- my kitten, my kitten!
And I laid her down at his feet-
(Never a kitten so sweet,
And he knew that I had no other!)
But he only said, 'Poor Tip,
'Tis a sad day for you, little mother!'
