The Gallows

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 open 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 looked 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 press'd!

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 remember'd then,