The spacious cities hummed with toil: The monarch reared his towers to the skies; Men delved the fruitful soil And studied to be wise; Along the highway's rocky coil The mailed legions rang; Smiling unheeded 'mid the moil, The Poet sang.
The glittering cities long are heaps: The starry towers lie level with the plain; The desert serpent sleeps Where soared the marble fane; The stealthy, bead-eyed lizard creeps Where gleamed the tyrant's throne; The grandeur dark oblivion steeps: The song sings on.
From Raleigh's Devon hills the misty sea Climbs ever westward till it meets the sky, And silently the white-fleeced ships go by, And mount and mount up the long azure lea, Peaceful as sheep at night that placidly Climb the tall downs to quiet pastures high, Assured no foes dare lurk, no dangers lie Where still abides their shepherd's memory. Well did men name him "Shepherd of the Seas," Who knew so well his shepherd's watch to keep, Driving the Spanish wolves with noble rage: Forsaking Pomp and Power and Beds-of-ease To herd his mighty flock through every Deep And make of every sea their common pasturage.
Thou best of all: God's choicest blessing, Sleep; Better than Earth can offer--Wealth, Power, Fame: They change, decay; thou always art the same; Through all the years thy freshness thou dost keep; Over all lands thine even pinions sweep. The sick, the worn, the blind, the lone, the lame, Hearing thy tranquil footsteps, bless thy name; Anguish is soothed, Sorrow forgets to weep. Thou ope'st the captive's cell and bid'st him roam; Thou giv'st the hunted refuge, free'st the slave, Show'st the outcast pity, call'st the exile home; Beggar and king thine equal blessings reap. We for our loved ones Wealth, Joy, Honors crave; But God, He giveth his beloved--Sleep.
Long æons since, in leafy woodlands sweet, Diana, weary with the eager chase, Was wont to seek full oft some trysting-place Loved of her rosy train; some cool retreat Of crystal springs, deep-verdured from the heat Of sultry noon, wherein each subtle grace Of snowy form and radiant flower-face, Narcissus-like, goddess and nymph might greet. Diana long hath fleeted 'yond the main; The founts which erst she loved are all bereft; No more 'mid violet-banks her feet are set; Silent her silvern bugle, fled her train; One spot alone of all she loved is left: This poplar-shaded spring is Goddess-haunted yet.