Dreams are well-but Waking's better — Esmeralda

Dreams-are well-but Waking's better, 1
If One wake at morn-
If One wake at Midnight-better-
Dreaming-of the Dawn-

Sweeter-the Surmising Robins-
Never gladdened Tree-
Than a Solid Dawn-confronting-
Leading to no Day-
(F.449/J.450)
[1–4] Dreams:: a description of Esmeralda in prison, sentenced to death. She is the protagonist of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo.
[5] Robins:: birds, alluding to freedom, and her friends who tried to save her.
[6] Tree:: a gallows.
[8] no Day:: death.