| Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22. | | | | The Sleeper | | By Jessica Nelson North |
| | From “At Night”
Night. O HEAVY breather in the surf of sleep, | |
| What is that strange and rosy slenderness | |
| You hold against your heart with so much tenderness? | |
| The Sleeper. It is my wife I hold— | |
| I love her more than life. | 5 |
| She has hair of bronze and gold, | |
| And in twin strands divides it; | |
| It lies across her bosom surplice-wise. | |
| This I know to be true though darkness hides it. | |
| Night. Now all things false dissolve beneath the moon! | 10 |
| This is a sheaf of whispering dreams you hold, | |
| Bound by the tawny sinews of your arm. | |
| They nod together with plumes of bronze and gold, | |
| They breathe and are warm; | |
| They speak together in a sibilant tune. | 15 |
| The Sleeper. It is my own wife. | |
| Her mouth, that is merry and wise, | |
| Is shut; and the lids are shut that cover | |
| Her faithful eyes. | |
| Night. A sheaf of dreams—hush! | 20 |
| |
| The First Dream. | She is untrue, | |
| Brother and brother! | |
| This one is new— | |
| Where is the other? | |
| The Second Dream. | I hear men say | 25 |
| He had ceased to love her. | |
| Even today | |
| His voice can move her. | |
| The Third Dream. | I have seen her tremble | |
| When she meets his eyes. | 30 |
| She is deft with lies, | |
| She is quick to dissemble. | |
| The Fourth Dream. | How is this done, | |
| Brother and brother, | |
| To sleep with one | 35 |
| And dream of another? | |
| |
| Night. A sheaf of dreams, of dreams … | |
| The Sleeper. | My wife. | |
| My wife. | | | |
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