O CITY of the world, with sacred splendor blest, My spirit yearns to thee from out the far-off West, A stream of love wells forth when I recall thy day, Now is thy temple waste, thy glory passed away. Had I an eagle's wings, straight would I fly to thee, Moisten thy holy dust with wet cheeks streaming free. Oh, how I long for thee! albeit thy King has gone, Albeit where balm once flowed, the serpent dwells alone. Could I but kiss thy dust, so would I fain expire, As sweet as honey then, my passion, my desire! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNDER THE VIOLETS by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 47. BROKEN MUSIC by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: JULY by EDMUND SPENSER HESPERIA by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE THE CRISIS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER THE CAUTIOUS HOUSEHOLDER by ANAXILAS |