The Captive's Dream

Methought I saw him but I knew him not; He was so changed from what he used to be, There was no redness on his woe-worn cheek, No sunny smile upon his ashy lips, His hollow wandering eyes looked wild and fierce, And grief was printed on his marble brow, And O I thought he clasped his wasted hands, And raised his haggard eyes to Heaven, and prayed That he might die - I had no power to speak, I thought I was allowed to see him thus; And yet I might not speak one single word; I might not even tell him that I lived And that it might be possible if search were made, To find out where I was and set me free, O how I longed to clasp him to my heart, Or but to hold his trembling hand in mine, And speak one word of comfort to his mind, I struggled wildly but it was in vain, I could not rise from my dark dungeon floor, And the dear name I vainly strove to speak, Died in a voiceless whisper on my tongue, Then I awoke, and lo it was a dream! A dream? Alas it was reality! For well I know wherever he may be He mourns me thus - O heaven I could bear My deadly fate with calmness if there were No kindred hearts to bleed and break for me! Alexandrina Zenobia