CHAPTER XVI. 
THE GHOST-FLOWER, AND CHILD. 
A DREAM. 
A sTiaded creature, dim and fair, 
"With tliin, transparent colors of the gloom ; — 
A flower-stalagmite, cold and rare, 
Chiseled by Grnomes of caverned air. 
With dew-sweats on it, gathered there — 
Then moon-drawn upward into sudden bloom. 
I. 
Elfin are Wonders—and Elfin are we — ■ 
Elfin is everything under the sea !— 
They know the godly, where elephants kneel, 
They know ungodly, where petty things reel — 
Think him ungodly who knows but himself — ■ 
Ah, ha ! ungodly is only the Elf ! 
A Child comes forth, within his eyes 
A mournful splendor darkened lies — 
A great Bird perching on his arm, 
Hears the sad song that fain would charm 
This Tom Todd of the world to stay. 
But Tom Todd has no time for play — 
The world and Tom Todd turn away ! 
