Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By SidneyLanier

823 The Harlequin of Dreams

SWIFT, through some trap mine eyes have never found,

Dim-panelled in the painted scene of Sleep,

Thou, giant Harlequin of Dreams, dost leap

Upon my spirit’s stage. Then Sight and Sound,

Then Space and Time, then Language, Mete and Bound,

And all familiar Forms that firmly keep

Man’s reason in the road, change faces, peep

Betwixt the legs and mock the daily round.

Yet thou canst more than mock: sometimes my tears

At midnight break through bounden lids—a sign

Thou hast a heart; and oft thy little leaven

Of dream-taught wisdom works me bettered years.

In one night witch, saint, trickster, fool divine,

I think thou ’rt Jester at the Court of Heaven!