The Dreamer spies a gate
Became with longing for some mode
To win within this blest abode,
And searched, but vainly searched, alas!
For means, or fair or foul, to pass510
The wall, but nought to help me found;
And then I vainly gazed around
For one who might, for love or meed.
Within that longed-for haven lead
My eager footsteps. Thus I stood,
With dire vexation well-nigh wood,
Until the thought possessed my mind,
That never yet was wall so blind
That careful diligence should fail
To find some door, or means to scale.520
Hot-foot, the boundary’s full extent
I traversed, heart and soul intent
Some aperture to spy; at last
Mine eye with eager joy I cast
Upon a wicket, straight and small,
Worked in the stern, forbidding wall,
And forthwith set myself to get
An entry there, whate’er might let.
III
Here is described how Idleness
Unto the Dreamer gave ingress.530
Full many a time with sounding blow
I struck the door, and, head bent low.
Stood hearkening who might make reply.
The horn-beam wicket presently
Was opened by a dame of air
Most gracious, and of beauty rare:
