| As the attentive eye sees microscopic forms crossing true vision, semi-transparent and moving as though with their own volition over the surface of the pupil—just so the mind in slowly giving way to sleep finds other phantoms rising—phantoms that vanish with the very wakefulness of the attention turned upon them. But descending again and taking care to leave the attention in its relaxed state, the visions represent themselves in ever shifting forms. A few isolated and indistinguishable words—an exquisite and original music—a strange face, never before seen but painted with perfect clarity—and fragrances, sadly half-remembered from days when no dreams were needful, life itself being unknown and full of promise—all these and others that the borderland of sleep imparts come now and then, arousing the heart such that the mind may, with effort, recover them at other hours. |
