Flight the Third. Fata Morgana

Contained in the volume entitled Aftermath, 1873.

O SWEET illusions of Song,

That tempt me everywhere,

In the lonely fields, and the throng

Of the crowded thoroughfare!

I approach, and ye vanish away,

I grasp you, and ye are gone;

But ever by night and by day,

The melody soundeth on.

As the weary traveller sees

In desert or prairie vast,

Blue lakes, overhung with trees,

That a pleasant shadow cast;

Fair towns with turrets high,

And shining roofs of gold,

That vanish as he draws nigh,

Like mists together rolled,—

So I wander and wander along,

And forever before me gleams

The shining city of song,

In the beautiful land of dreams.

But when I would enter the gate

Of that golden atmosphere,

It is gone, and I wonder and wait

For the vision to reappear.