Skip to content
Linespedia

Dream Song I

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

Topics: classic

Long years ago, within a distant clime,     Ere Love had touched me with his wand sublime,     I dreamed of one to make my life's calm May     The panting passion of a summer's day.     And ever since, in almost sad suspense,     I have been waiting with a soul intense     To greet and take unto myself the beams,     Of her, my star, the lady of my dreams.     O Love, still longed and looked for, come to me,     Be thy far home by mountain, vale, or sea.     My yearning heart may never find its rest     Until thou liest rapt upon my breast.     The wind may bring its perfume from the south,     Is it so sweet as breath from my love's mouth?     Oh, naught that surely is, and naught that seems     May turn me from the lady of my dreams.

AI analysis available. Enable JavaScript to interact.

About this line

"Long years ago, within a distant clime,..."

This evocative piece by Paul Laurence Dunbar, titled "Dream Song I", represents a masterful exploration of classic. The lines capture a profound emotional resonance... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

Attribution & Rights

Author:Paul Laurence Dunbar

"Long years ago, within a distant clime,..." by Paul Laurence Dunbar

For usage rights, copyright concerns, or to report an issue with this content, please visit our Copyright & Report page.

Related lines

"As lone I sat one summer's day,     With mien dejected, Love came by;     His face distraught, his locks astray,     So slow his gait, so sad h"

"Come away to dreamin' town,     Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou,     Whaih de skies don' nevah frown,         Mandy Lou;     Whaih he streets is paved"

"Ah me, it is cold and chill     And the fire sobs low in the grate,     While the wind rides by on the hill,     And the logs crack sharp with"

"A crust of bread and a corner to sleep in,     A minute to smile and an hour to weep in,     A pint of joy to a peck of trouble,     And never"

"Here morning in the ploughman's songs is met     Ere yet one footstep shows in all the sky,     And twilight in the east, a doubt as yet,     S"

"The Text is taken from Percy's Reliques (1765), vol. i. p. 71, 'given from two MS. copies, transmitted from Scotland.' Herd had a very similar bal"

Paul Laurence Dunbar

About Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906) was an American poet and novelist who was one of the first African-American writers to gain national prominence. His poems in dialect—including "When Malindy Sings"—and standard English explore Black life with humor, pathos, and dignity.

Full Bibliography
Continue Reading

"As lone I sat one summer's day,     With mien deje..."

Weekly Poetic Insight

Join our literary Sanctuary

Get the most inspiring lines, poetic analysis, and secret shayaris delivered to your inbox every Sunday.