I Met At Eve

by: Walter de la Mare

I met at eve the Prince of Sleep, 
His was a still and lovely face, 
He wandered through a valley steep, 
   Lovely in a lonely place.

His garb was grey of lavender, 
About his brows a poppy-wreath 
Burned like dim coals, and everywhere 
   The air was sweeter for his breath.

His twilight feet no sandals wore, 
His eyes shone faint in their own flame, 
Fair moths that gloomed his steps before 
   Seemed letters of his lovely name.

His house is in the mountain ways, 
A phantom house of misty walls, 
Whose golden flocks at evening graze, 
   And 'witch the moon with muffled calls.

Upwelling from his shadowy springs 
Sweet waters shake a trembling sound, 
There flit the hoot-owl's silent wings, 
   There hath his web the silkworm wound.

Dark in his pools clear visions lurk, 
And rosy, as with morning buds, 
Along his dales of broom and birk 
   Dreams haunt his solitary woods.

I met at eve the Prince of Sleep, 
His was a still and lovely face, 
He wandered through a valley steep, 
   Lovely in a lonely place.