Little shadows, little shadowsDancing on the chamber wall,While I sit beside the hearthstoneWhere the red flames rise and fall.Caps and nightgowns, caps and nightgowns,My three antic shadows wear;And no sound they make in playing,For the six small feet are bare.Dancing gayly, dancing gayly,To and fro all together,Like a family of daisiesBlown about in windy weather;Nimble fairies, nimble fairies,Playing pranks in the warm glow,While I sing the nursery dittiesChildish phantoms love and know.
Believe me, this was true last night,Tho' it is false to-day.-- A.M.F. Robinson.A fair dream to my chamber flew:Such a crowd of folk that stirred,Jested, fluttered; only you,You alone of all that band,Calm and silent, spake no word.Only once you neared my place,And your hand one moment's spaceSought the fingers of my hand;Your eyes flashed to mine; I knewAll was well between us two.On from dream to dream I past,But the first sweet vision castMystic radiance o'er the last.