Lines Written in Oregon by Vladimir Nabokov. Part 1 of 2. Esmeralda! now we rest Here, in the bewitched and blest Mountain forests of the West. Here the very air is stranger. Damzel, anchoret, and ranger Share the woodland’s dream and danger And to think I deemed you dead! (In a dungeon, it was said; Tortured, strangled); but instead – Blue birds from the bluest fable, Bear and hare in coats of sable, Peacock moth on picnic table. Huddled roadsigns softly speak Of Lake Merlin, Castle Creek, And (obliterated) Peak.