Classic Love and Romance Poems

   

The Indian Serenade

I arise from dreams of thee 
In the first sweet sleep or night, 
When the winds are breathing low, 
And the stars are shining bright. 
I arise from dreams of thee, 
And a spirit in my feet 
Has led me-who knows how? - 
To thy chamber-window, sweet! 

The wandering airs they faint 
On the dark, the silent stream,- 
The champak odors fail 
Like sweet thoughts in a dream; 
The nightingale's complaint, 
It dies upon her heart, 
As I must die on thine, 
O, beloved as thou art! 

O, lift me from the grass! 
I die, I faint, I fail! 
Let thy love in kisses rain 
On my lips and eyelids pale. 
My cheek is cold and white, alas! 
My heart beats loud and fast: 
Oh! press it close to thine again, 
Where it will break at last!

- Percy Bysshe Shelley 

back to poetry index