"When I awake"--out of the chill and shiver
Of this dark earthly hour before the dawn,
And light, and life, and gladness all a-quiver
Enfold me, and the phantom-world is gone;
Awake--no more as from bewildered dreaming
I start with straining eyes at dead of night
And shudder backward from the awful seeming,
And dream a sadder dream for every sight--
Ah yes, dear friend! It will be sweet to see;
Though I have proof of heaven, holding thee!
But O Beloved! if I should not find thee,
And in thine eyes behold the morning break--
If this sad life's one joy be left behind me,
With all its sorrows--let me not awake.