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Come When I Sleep.
by Victor-Marie Hugo("Oh, quand je dors.")
[XXVII.]
Oh! when I sleep, come near my resting-place,
As Laura came to bless her poet's heart,
And let thy breath in passing touch my face -
At once a space
My lips will part.
And on my brow where too long weighed supreme
A vision - haply spent now - black as night,
Let thy look as a star arise and beam -
At once my dream
Will seem of light.
Then press my lips, where plays a flame of bliss -
A pure and holy love-light - and forsake
The angel for the woman in a kiss -
At once, I wis,
My soul will wake!
WM. W. TOMLINSON.