Queen Oriana's Dream

Onabankwithrosesshaded,

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.