Goblin Market, The Prince’s Progress, and Other Poems · Christina Georgina Rossetti

Chapter 83: A Dream

Sonnet

Once in a dream (for once I dreamed of you) We stood together in an open field; Above our heads two swift-winged pigeons wheeled,Sporting at ease and courting full in view.When loftier still a broadening darkness flew, Down-swooping, and a ravenous hawk revealed; Too weak to fight, too fond to fly, they yield;So farewell life and love and pleasures new.Then as their plumes fell fluttering to the ground, Their snow-white plumage flecked with crimson drops, I wept, and thought I turned towards you to weep: But you were gone; while rustling hedgerow topsBent in a wind which bore to me a sound Of far-off piteous bleat of lambs and sheep.