Henry Kendall

Early Poems (1859-70). Deniehy's Dream

Just when the western light
 Flickered out dim,
Flushing the mountain-side,
 Summit and rim,
A last, low, lingering gleam
Fell on a yellow stream,
And then there came a dream
 Shining to him.

Splendours miraculous
 Mixed with his pain
All like a vision of
 Radiance and rain!
He faced the sea, the skies,
Old star-like thoughts did rise;
But tears were in his eyes,
 Stifled in vain.

Infinite tokens of
 Sorrows set free
Came in the dreaming wind
 Far from the sea!
Past years about him trooped,
Fair phantoms round him stooped,
Sweet faces o'er him drooped
 Sad as could be!

"This is our brother now:
 Sisters, deplore
Man without purpose, like
 Ship without shore!
He tracks false fire," one said,
"But weep you—he must tread
Whereto he may be led—
 Lost evermore."

"Look," said another,
 "Summit and slope
Burn, in the mountain-land—
 Basement and cope!
Till daylight, dying dim,
Faints on the world's red rim,
We'll tint this Dream for him
 Even—with hope!"