On Carpaccio's Picture: The Dream of St. Ursula

Swept, clean, and still, across the polished floor

From some unshuttered casement, hid from sight,

The level sunshine slants, its greater light

Quenching the little lamp which pallid, poor,

Flickering, unreplenished, at the door

Has striven against darkness the long night.

Dawn fills the room, and penetrating, bright,

The silent sunbeams through the window pour.

And she lies sleeping, ignorant of Fate,

Enmeshed in listless dreams, her soul not yet

Ripened to bear the purport of this day.

The morning breeze scarce stirs the coverlet,

A shadow falls across the sunlight; wait!

A lark is singing as he flies away.