Queen Oriana's Dream
Whosesweetscentthevioletsaided,
Violetswhosebreathalone
Yieldsbutfeeblesmellornone
(SweeterbedJoveneerreposedon
WhenhiseyesOlympusclosedon),
Whileoerheadsixslavesdidhold
Canopyofclothogold,
Andtwomoredidmusickeep,
WhichmightJunolulltosleep,
Oriana,whowasqueen
TothemightyTamerlane,
Thatwaslordofalltheland
BetweenThraceandSamarchand,
Whilethenontidefervourbeamd,
Musedherselftosleep,anddreamd.
Thusfar,inmagnificstrain,
Ayoungpoetsoothedhisvein,
Buthehadnorprosenornumbers
Toexpressaprincesssslumbers——
YouthfulRichardhadstrangefancies,
Wasdeepversedinoldromances,
Andcouldtalkwholehoursupon
TheGreatChamandPresterJohn,——
TellthefieldinwhichtheSophi
FromtheTartarwonatrophy——
Whathereadwithsuchdelightof,
Thoughthecouldaseaslywriteof——
Buthisover-younginvention
Keptnotpacewithbraveintention
twentysunsdidriseandset,
Andhecouldnofurtherget;
But,unabletoproceed,
Madavirtueoutofneed,
And,hislabourswiselierdeemdof,
Didomitwhatthequeendreamdof.