Page:Collected poems vol 1 de la mare.djvu/157

 Dreamers there were who watched the hours away
 * Beside a fountain's foam. And in the sweet

Of phantom evening, 'neath the night-bird's lay, Did loved with loved-one meet.

All, all were children, for, the long day done,
 * They harred the heavy door against lightfoot fear;

And few words spake though one known face was gone, Yet still seemed hovering near.

They heaped the bright fire higher; poured dark wine;
 * And in long revelry dazed the questioning eye;

Curtained three-fold the heart-dismaying shine Of midnight streaming by.

They shut the dark out from the painted wall,
 * With candles dared the shadow at the door,

Sang down the faint reiterated call Of those who came no more.

Yet clear above that portal plain was writ,
 * Confronting each at length alone to pass

Out of its beauty into night star-lit, That word "Alas!"