Ah, God! What clever hands are these that whisper 'cross my my skin?
And whose the thick unruly locks my fingers tangle in?
And whose kisses surpassing soft my lips in rapture claim?
Had I not been asleep, my lord, I would have begged his name.
(repeat last 2 lines)
Refrain:
He rideth in my dreams,h e seeketh me at night,
And though thou art my own true love, a dream thou canst not fight.
His gaze so bright it blindeth me with innocence and grace:
Like one bewitched, I could forever look upon that face
And count myself a happy soul those eyes for me did shine.
I prithee, wake me soon, my lord, or I'm no longer thine.
(repeat last 2 lines)
Refrain: repeat.
He looketh like one I had known some long forgotten time,
And wooeth me with such tendresse I think it not a crime.
Mayhap an I but slumber on, his name shall come to me.
O! wouldstou know the name, my lord, then only leave me be.
(repeat last 2 lines)
Refrain: repeat.
In forest deep I ride with him, we watch the falcon's flight
O'er broad field, and by silver stream embrace each other tight.
O, he was of the castle cold, and I the cottage warm;
Five children did I bear him, lord, though one did come to harm.
(repeat last 2 lines)
Refrain: repeat.
Of Inde where first we two were met, one vision I reclaim.
In wordless, nameless ecstasy, I faced a wall of flame
And gave myself to him in death, a force, I felt no pain.
Shakti and sati, too, my lord, I knew we'd meet again.
(repeat last 2 lines)
Refrain: repeat.
I wake to find thou knowest mea nd pitiest my sighs.
I know thy voice, thy speech, thy touch, thy weight upon my thighs.
While yet thou gently mockest my impassioned fantasy,
I love thee aye for whom thou art, and who thou playest to be.
(repeat last 2 lines)
Thou ridest in my dreams, thou seekest me at night,
And other lives and other loves, I'll ne'er ha' need to fight.
(repeat)
Rosamunde del Shore circa A.S. XXV
