Now that same night I dreamed a curious dream.
There were two lovers, who did envy oft
The little rabbits feeding in the beam
Of moonlit woods: if but they might have doffed
The pains of human nature: then at last
They both resolved to change into those soft
Quick-shadowed things: they did so; and there passed
A pleasant time: then he was changed again
Into a bear-like monster dark and vast,
And she into her native form was ta'en.
To her he came: but she from her away
Drave him full fast: and he in grief was fain
To climb into a tree, while down she lay
Upon a bank below: then presently
He crept again toward her: but might not stay,
So fiercely met she him: and with a sigh
He went away again: and thus once more
She met him, when the third time he drew nigh.
Then to his tree he moved, perplexed sore,
And waited midst the leaves fallen and brown,
And far off watched her on the forest floor:
Until she cried, " Sir knight, sir knight, come down. "
He ran to her, and found her covered o'er
With yellow things, as is the rabbit town
With that thick-swarming people, " Many an hour, "
Said she to him, " have I lain on my side
In endless pains: now therefore me devour. "
Whereat he wept, and would not: then she died:
And, lo, there was another monster grim
And terrible, who rose up by his side:
And him that monster slew. Such was this dream.