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12
A Vision.
But as I pressed her airy hand,
It seemed to melt away,
Though it left an impress where it touched,
Like the kiss of a vanished day.
And as she floated by me,
She kindled my room with light,
Like a star that has drifted earthward
To say to the world "Good-night."

Had she then a "Good-night" for me
Down on this earth so far?
Yes! and had brought me a lily from Heaven,
To lay in my bosom and wear.
At last to words her lips trembled,
As petals of roses might,
When the zephyrs stoop to kiss them
As they pause in wayward flight.

"This lily pure was sent to thee
By one who could not stay,
But just behind the veil she waits
Thine immortality."
This said—she smiled and kist it,
On my pillow, there it lay;
Then into a turret of darkness
She floated in cloud away.