What hurrying human tides, or day or night! What passions, winnings, losses, ardors, swim thy waters! What whirls of evil, bliss and sorrow, stem thee! What curious questioning glances -- glints of love! Leer, envy, scorn, contempt, hope, aspiration! Thou portal -- thou arena -- thou of the myriad long-drawn lines and groups! (Could but thy flagstones, curbs, facades, tell their inimitable tales; Thy windows rich, and huge hotels -- thy side-walks wide;) Thou of the endless sliding, mincing, shuffling feet! Thou, like the parti-colored world itself -- like infinite, teeming, mocking life! Thou visor'd, vast, unspeakable show and lesson! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLY, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE A RUNNABLE STAG by JOHN DAVIDSON A BIRD'S ANGER by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES AFTER MUSIC by JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY RENCONTRE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONATUICA): MEDEA'S HESITATION by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS |