New Poems

"THE UNKNOWN CITY"

There lies a city inaccessible,

Where the dead dreamers dwell.


Abrupt and blue, with many a high ravine

And soaring bridge half seen.

With many an iris cloud that comes and goes

Over the ancient snows,

The imminent hills environ it, and hold

Its portals from of old,

That grief invade not, weariness, nor war,

Nor anguish evermore.


White-walled and jettied on the peacock tide,

With domes and towers enskied,

Its battlements and balconies one sheen

Of ever-living green,

It hears the happy dreamers turning home

Slow-oared across the foam.


Cool are its streets with waters musical

And fountains' shadowy fall.

With orange and anemone and rose,

And every flower that blows

Of magic scent or unimagined dye,

Its gardens shine and sigh.

Its chambers, memoried with old romance

And faëry circumstance,—

From any window love may lean some time

For love that dares to climb.


This is that city babe and seer divined

With pure, believing mind.

This is the home of unachieved emprize.

Here, here the visioned eyes

Of them that dream past any power to do,

Wake to the dream come true.

Here the high failure, not the level fame,

Attests the spirit's aim.

Here is fulfilled each hope that soared and sought

Beyond the bournes of thought.


The obdurate marble yields; the canvas glows;

Perfect the column grows;

The chorded cadence art could ne'er attain

Crowns the imperfect strain;

And the great song that seemed to die unsung

Triumphs upon the tongue.