YOU, City, by two rivers made an isle, To whom the sea a tidal tribute pays, What is it in you that could so beguile My heart to leave its love of earlier days Till now its passion seems a fable far, Dissolved and faded with life's morning star? For I am lost and strange unease is mine, If ever I turn back to that old love: Great Nature is no more to me benign, I fear her vacant heavens spread above; The lonely wind-tides drawing through her trees Are sad to me as Sophoclean seas. Your casual glimpses of the stars suffice, Your chary sunsets are of precious sard; Your yearning towers bloom agate as they rise, Where men enskied do work -- and Heaven keep guard! And oftentimes I let my thought take flight Around those shafts half-veiled in misty light. City, I do not know what charm you wield That to my spirit has been subtle balm; From stabbing memories it oft has healed. Your very tumults can my tumults calm. Who speaks of guile, of harm your spells can do? Enchantress City -- I am safe with you! Yes, I have been your lover many years. Like any lover I your praise could sing, For this -- for that -- which so my heart endears. And yet, and yet, beyond each several thing, Like any lover I despair, and say, "It is your soul I've loved so many a day!" Your soul of many souls well mingled up! I sometimes drink it with a giddy joy. And I here pledge you in a loving-cup Service and faith that nothing can destroy. A conscious soul? O City, can it be -- Since I have so loved you -- do you love me? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LACK OF STEADFASTNESS; BALLAD by GEOFFREY CHAUCER THE POET'S BRIDAL DAY SONG by ALLAN CUNNINGHAM A NOCTURNAL REVERIE by ANNE FINCH ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 25. THE VIRGIN by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH ANNIVERS: BAPTISMT by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |