A form I saw with secret awe — nor ken I what it warns;
Pure as the snow, a gentle doe it seemed with silver horns.
Erect she stood, close by a wood between two running streams;
And brightly shone the morning sun upon that land of dreams!

The pictured hind fancy designed glowing with love and hope;
Graceful she stept, but distant kept, like the timid antelope;
Playful, yet coy — with secret joy her image filled my soul;
And o'er the sense soft influence of sweet oblivion stole.

Gold I beheld and emerald on the collar that she wore;
Words too — but theirs were characters of legendary lore:
" Caesar's decree hath made me free; and thro' his solemn charge,
Untouched by men o'er hill and glen I mander here at large. "

The sun had now with radiant brow climbed his meridian throne,
Yet still mine eye untiringly gazed on that lovely one.
A voice was heard — quick disappeared my dream. The spell was broken.
Then came distress — to the consciousness of life I had awoken!