Above the town an azure sea is flowing,
'Mid long peninsulas of shining sand,
From opal unto pearl the moon is growing,
Dropped like a shell upon the changing strand.
Within the town the streets grow strange and haunted,
And, dark against the western lakes of green,
The buildings change to temples, and unwonted
Shadows and sounds creep in where day has been.
Within the town, the lamps of sin are flaring,
Poor foolish men that know not what ye are!
Tired traffic still upon his feet is faring--
Two lovers meet and kiss and watch a star.
THE CITY IN MOONLIGHT
Dear city in the moonlight dreaming,
How changed and lovely is your face;
Where is the sordid busy scheming
That filled all day the market-place?
Was it but fancy that a rabble
Of money-changers bought and sold,
Filling with sacrilegious babble
This temple-court of solemn gold?
Ah no, poor captive-slave of Croesus,
His bond-maid all the toiling day,
You, like some hunted child of Jesus,
Steal out beneath the moon to pray.
OF POETS AND POETRY
To James Ashcroft Noble,
Poet and Critic, a small acknowledgment of much
unforgotten kindness
INSCRIPTIONS
Poet, a truce to your song!
Have you heard the heart sing?
Like a brook among trees,
Like the humming of bees,
Like the ripple of wine:
Had you heard, would you stay
Blowing bubbles so long?
You have ears for the spheres--
Have you heard the heart sing?
* * * * *
Have you loved the good books of the world,--
And written none?
Have you loved the great poet,--
And burnt your little rhyme?
'O be my friend, and teach me to be thine.
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