Page:The city of dreadful night - and other poems (IA cityofdreadfulni00thomrich).pdf/45

 Who toil half-starved with scarce a human right: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From wandering through many a solemn scene Of opium visions, with a heart serene And intellect miraculously bright: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From making hundreds laugh and roar with glee By my transcendent feats of mimicry, And humour wanton as an elfish sprite: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From prayer and fasting in a lonely cell, Which brought an ecstasy ineffable Of love and adoration and delight: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From ruling on a splendid kingly throne A nation which beneath my rule has grown Year after year in wealth and arts and might: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From preaching to an audience fired with faith The Lamb who died to save our souls from death,