My Happiest Dream.

("J'aime me figure.")     [Bk. III. vii. and viii.]     I love to look, as evening fails,     On vestals streaming in their veils,     Within the fane past altar rails,     Green palms in hand.     My darkest moods will always clear     When I can fancy children near,     With rosy lips a-laughing - dear,     Light-dancing band!     Enchanting vision, too, displayed,     That of a sweet and radiant maid,     Who knows not why she is afraid, -     Love's yet unseen!     Another - rarest 'mong the rare -     To see the gaze of chosen fair     Return prolonged and wistful stare     Of eager een.     But - dream o'er all to stir my soul,     And shine the brightest on the roll,     Is when a land of tyrant's toll     By sword is rid.     I say not dagger - with the sword     When Right enchampions the horde,     All in broad day - so that the bard     May sing the victor with the starred     Bayard and Cid!