Enchanted

Some happy hour, in sleep or trance,
We slipped the chain of circumstance,
And find ourselves in Fairy-land.
Its wonders piled on every hand.
A purple light is on the hills,
A golden glow the valley fills.
A glory covers all the earth,
That neither sun nor moon gave birth.
From dell and dingle everywhere,
Sweet music ripples through the air
So soft and liquid are the notes,
We know they come from Naiad throats.
The stories of “Arabian Nights” 
Are overmatched by tricksy sprites,
Who cast such glamour o’er our path,
That every step new beauty hath.
Else how should seem in Autumn trees,
The butterflies to swarm like bees,
And cones of brilliant beauty form
In countless shades all rich and warm?
Loosing their hold, they one by one
Hover about their burning zone,
And through its air they sail or swing,
Poised lightly on a trembling wing,
Then chase each other round and round,
And floating, fluttering, reach the ground.
Transmuted there by elfin power,
They seem of gems a fallen shower;
A carpet fit for kingly feet
Transfigures all the village street,
In emerald cloth embroidered fair,
Are garnet, topaz, rubies rare –
A costly pavement, rising whence,
Bewildering to the mortal sense,
Are lofty arches, turrets bold,
And royal bowers of green and gold.
Enchanted city of our dreams!
The gate is opened wide, and gleams
From Paradise are given us here,
To make our future bright and clear.
When we shall have returned again,
To common earth and common men,
This glorious glimpse of Eden land,
A promise sure shall always stand.