A city walled against the golden day, A city starless in the silver night, Hath reared in glory down her teeming bay, Past many a roaring quay, Electra's Temple pinnacled with light. Fountains ablaze and whirling wheels of fire, A phantom garden by the rumbling sea; Not Ctesiphon nor flame-adoring Tyre, Not Carthage's red pyre E'er burned the night to such a brilliancy. Bright mirrored towers tremble in the wave; My black prow cleaves through faery citadels; I gaze upon a deep, enchanted pave, Some sea-tombed city's grave, Whence music 'mid the voice of revel wells. The ghostly castles crumble; but the cry, The song, the shouting grow; and far away Weird echo-voices call me as they fly; "Come! Join the night city at her play! Forget the dark of day; For here the ways of light and laughter lie." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LACHIN Y GAIR by GEORGE GORDON BYRON CHARITAS NIMIA; OR THE DEAR BARGAIN by RICHARD CRASHAW DAFFODILS by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY by JOHN STERLING (1806-1844) TO TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |