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!