Eugenie

Before mine eyes stretched out the long fled years:
I lay and dreamt or what France once had been
In days gone by. Then from the Past a screen
Seemed drawn; and in a mist I saw her Peers,
Her Courts, her Kings, Queens, Emperors, Statesmen, Seers,
Like Shadows stretch away into the haze
Of Ages: but upon one face my gaze
Did rest - a face of sorrow, grief and tears,
Which yet in age still beautiful did seem.
And then methought a sadly-sweet Voice said,
"I am the Past," and paused, "'Twas but a dream
That has been killed by Fate-a vision fled."
And still her memory haunts me through the years,
And still her face so sadly sweet appears.

—Pirl.

V.C., 8/5/11.