Sometimes I dwell not here—
But far away,
Where not a breath disturbs
My fondest dream;
Where, loitering at ease,
Myself alone I please
And sing my soul good cheer
Within my castles fair,
That I have built in air,
Above Time’s stream.
Outside, like haunting ghosts,
The clouds appear,
But noiselessly pass by
Each bolted gate;
Around my castle walls,
The hush of moon-light falls,
While, like the armied hosts,
With torches flashing bright,
The stars come out at night
To celebrate.
’Tis bliss to dwell like this,
In airy heights,
Above the common crowd
And earthly din;
Where all the livelong day,
With my best self I stay
And naught of glory miss;
Where neither friend nor foe,
To pity or bring woe,
Can enter in.
Who dares uplift a latch,
Like thief at night,
To scatter treasured hopes
And steal my store?
Who darkens my domain
Where I, an empress, reign,
While subjects wait dispatch?
Away, ye dread Despair!
To castles in the air
Still let me soar.