OF all the spectres feared and then forgot
That haunt us sleeping, this is dreadfullest—
Still to seek help and find it not
Through those dim lands that sleep and know not rest;
Followed for ever by a formless fear
That drawing near and nearer hungrily
Lowers against our dearest dear,
And nought can shield them from that jeopardy;
To see the unknown horror rearing slow,
Hang high above them like a craning wave,
And in that endless moment know
Intolerable impotence to save.
Yet 'whelmed the dream-doom never one dear head,
Our own hearts woke us with their passionate beat:
Straightway we found all peril fled
And lay, awaiting dawn's deliverance sweet.
· · · · · ·
Now growing with the strengthening daylight strong
Doth that ill dream, the sleep-world's confines breaking,
Walk at our elbow all day long
To leave us only at a worse awaking.