Dream-Moonlight

Dream-moonlight, which for me sometimes makes bright
And fair and wonderful the vales of sleep,
Where spirits come in dreams to laugh or weep.
Is, more than that which floods the actual night,
A secret, subtle message to the sight.
Sometimes it shines upon a pale dream-deep,
Or on untrodden fields no reapers reap.
Or some unsealed and inaccessible height; —

Sometimes it falls 'twixt branches of dream-trees.
Where the soft light and shade divinely blend.
O fair dream-moonlight, which dost give surcease
To this sore heart from memories that rend,
If death were but to languish in thy peace
How could one stay and battle to the end?