In the green gloom of cryptomaria trees, The little shrine stands lonely and forlorn, Above a flight of mossy steps, more worn By Time than by the feet of votaries. And there among their mouldering mysteries Forsaken gods, of all their splendors shorn, Stare through the dimness in despairing scorn With pilgrim sandals piled about their knees. Beneath those bitter eyes, I chill with dread. Where are they now whose sandals strew this place? Were they consumed as sacrifices here? Or did they, when their breathless prayers were said Before the glaring god's relentless face, Hurry away on silent feet of fear? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN HOSPITAL: 23. MUSIC by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY A DESCRIPTION OF SUCH A ONE AS HE WOULD LOVE by THOMAS WYATT THE DESERT DISILLUSION by BERTON BRALEY OLNEY HYMNS: 40. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH by WILLIAM COWPER PRO CASTITATE by DIGBY MACKWORTH DOLBEN UPON THE DEATH OF MISTRIS ELIANOR FALLOWFIELD by MICHAEL DRAYTON THE ADIRONDACS; A JOURNAL by RALPH WALDO EMERSON |