Trembling I write my dream, and recollect A fearful vision at the midnight hour; So late, Death o'er me spread his sable wings, Painted with fancies of malignant power! 2 Such was the dream the sage Chaldean saw 5 Disclos'd to him that felt heav'n's vengeful rod, Such was the ghost, who through deep silence cry'd, Shall mortal man--be juster than his God? 3 Let others draw from smiling skies their theme, And tell of climes that boast unfading light, 10 I draw a darker scene, replete with gloom, I sing the horrors of the House of Night. 4 Stranger, believe the truth experience tells, Poetic dreams are of a finer cast Than those which o'er the sober brain diffus'd, 15 Are but a repetition of some action past. 5 Fancy, I own thy power--when sunk in sleep Thou play'st thy wild delusive part so well You lift me into immortality, Depict new heavens, or draw the scenes of hell. 20 6 By some sad means, when Reason holds no sway, Lonely I rov'd at midnight o'er a plain Where murmuring streams and mingling rivers flow Far to their springs, or seek the sea again. 7 Sweet vernal May! tho' then thy woods in bloom 25 Flourish'd, yet nought of this could Fancy see, No wild pinks bless'd the meads, no green the fields, And naked seem'd to stand each lifeless tree: 8 Dark was the sky, and not one friendly star Shone from the zenith or horizon, clear, 30 Mist sate upon the woods, and darkness rode In her black chariot, with a wild career. 9 And from the woods the late resounding note Issued of the loquacious Whip-poor-will,[A] Hoarse, howling dogs, and nightly roving wolves 35 Clamour'd from far off cliffs invisible. [A] A Bird peculiar to America, of a solitary nature, who never sings but in the night. Her note resembles the name given to her by the country people.--_Freneau's note._ 10 Rude, from the wide extended Chesapeke I heard the winds the dashing waves assail, And saw from far, by picturing fancy form'd, The black ship travelling through the noisy gale. 40 11 At last, by chance and guardian fancy led, I reach'd a noble dome, rais'd fair and high, And saw the light from upper windows flame, Presage of mirth and hospitality. 12 And by that light around the dome appear'd 45 A mournful garden of autumnal hue, Its lately pleasing flowers all drooping stood Amidst high weeds that in rank plenty grew. 13 The Primrose there, the violet darkly blue, Daisies and fair Narcissus ceas'd to rise, 50 Gay spotted pinks their charming bloom withdrew, And Polyanthus quench'd its thousand dyes. 14