I CAME to a great city. Palaces Rose glittering, mile on mile. Here dwells the King, The Emperor and King; here lived, here ruled How many mountainous far-looming fames! Here is the crown of shadowy Charlemagne. What housing of what glorious dignities! Yet in a narrow street, unfrequented, No palace near -- one name upon a wall, And all these majesties seem small and shrunk; For here unto the bitter end abode He who from pain wrought noble joy for men, He who from silence gave the world to song; For in his mind an awful music rose As when, in darkness of the under-seas, Currents tremendous over currents pour. He heard the soundless tone, its voice he was, And he of vast humanity the voice, And his the empire of the human soul. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SEASONS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CENTRAL PARK AT DUSK by SARA TEASDALE ALL THAT'S PAST by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE THE BRONCHO THAT WOULD NOT BE BROKEN by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY LAIS' MIRROR by DECIMUS MAGNUS AUSONIUS TO SIGURD by KATHARINE LEE BATES |