A Celebration of Women Writers

"Ballade of Dreams." by Norah M. Holland (1876-1925)
From: Spun-Yarn And Spindrift. by Norah M. Holland. London & Toronto: J. M. Dent & Sons; New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., 1918, p. 78.

Editor: Mary Mark Ockerbloom

[Page 78] 

BALLADE OF DREAMS

WE dreamed our dreams in full many lands,
  By mount and forest, by stream and lea,
Dreams of the touch of old-time hands,
  Dreams of a future destiny,
  Dreams of battle and victory,
Laughter and love and wealth and fame;
  Dreamers of dreams, indeed, were we–
Have the lichens yet o'ergrown our name?

Our rivers of dream had golden sands,
  Our forests of Dream waved fair to see,
Our Dreamland Isles were enchanted strands
  With shores of magic and mystery;
  How should we dream of misery
With the blood of youth at our hearts aflame!
  Dreamers of dreams, indeed, were we–
Have the lichens yet o'ergrown our name?

If a mortal now our fate demands
  (We who so long forgotten be),
He shall seek in vain, for our wandering bands
  Now wait here, all so dreamlessly;
  O the restless hearts rest quietly,
And the fire is quenched that no frost could tame;
  Dreamers of dreams, indeed, were we–
Have the lichens yet o'ergrown our name ?

L'Envoi

Prince, this world is all vanity,
  And dream and deed, they are still the same;
Dreamers of dreams, indeed, were we–
  Have the lichens yet o'ergrown our name ?

[Page 79]

Editor: Mary Mark Ockerbloom