A Dream

By William Allingham

I heard the dogs howl in the moonlight night; I went to the window to see the sight; All the Dead that ever I knew Going one by one and two by two. On they pass'd, and on they pass'd; Townsfellows all, from first to last; Born in the moonlight of the lane, Quench'd in the heavy shadow again. Schoolmates, marching as when they play'd At soldiers once, but now more staid; Those were the strangest sight to me Who were drown'd, I knew, in the awful sea. Straight and handsome folk, bent and weak, too; Some that I loved, and gasp'd to speak to; Some but a day in their churchyard bed; Some that I had not known were dead. A long, long crowd, where each seem'd lonely, Yet of them all there was one, one only, Raised a head or look'd my way; She linger'd a moment, she might not stay. How long since I saw that fair pale face! Ah! Mother dear! might I only place My head on thy breast, a moment to rest, While thy hand on my tearful cheek were prest! On, on, a moving bridge they made Across the moon-stream, from shade to shade, Young and old, women and men; Many long-forgot, but remembered then, And first there came a bitter laughter; A sound of tears a moment after; And then a music so lofty and gay, That eve morning, day by day, I strive to recall it if I may.

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Poem Details

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:

This poem is a haunting exploration of memory, loss, and the inexorable passage of time. It opens with a vivid nocturnal scene, the howling of dogs setting an ominous tone, as the speaker witnesses a spectral procession of the dead. The repetition of the phrase "on they pass'd" underscores the relentless march of time and the inevitability of death.

The poem's structure, with its alternating line lengths, mirrors the ebb and flow of the speaker's memories. The speaker reflects on various stages of life, from childhood schoolmates to the elderly, the mention of 'townsfellows' and 'schoolmates' suggesting a close-knit community. The poignant revelation of the speaker's mother among the apparitions adds a layer of personal grief and longing.

The use of vivid imagery is a standout literary device in the poem. The 'moving bridge' created by the ghostly procession across the 'moon-stream' symbolizes the connection between the living and the dead, the past and the present. The poem concludes with a shift in tone, from the somber and melancholic to a more hopeful note, as the speaker strives to recall the 'lofty and gay' music heard amidst the spectral procession. This suggests that despite the pain associated with loss, there is also a solace to be found in the remembrance, a beauty in the act of recalling those who have passed.