THE KINGDOM OF SHADOWS
THE KINGDOM OF SHADOWS
A crownless king who reigns alone,
I live within this ashen land,
Where winds rebuild from wandering sand
My columns and my crumbled throne.
I live within this ashen land,
Where winds rebuild from wandering sand
My columns and my crumbled throne.
My sway is on the men that were,
And wan sweet women, dear and dead;
Beside a marble queen, my bed
Is made within the sepulchre.
And wan sweet women, dear and dead;
Beside a marble queen, my bed
Is made within the sepulchre.
In gardens desolate to the sun,
Faring alone, I sigh to find
The dusty closes, dim and blind,
Where winter and the spring are one.
Faring alone, I sigh to find
The dusty closes, dim and blind,
Where winter and the spring are one.
My shadowy visage, grey with grief.
In sunken waters walled with sand,
I see,—where all mine ancient land.
Lies yellow like an autumn leaf.
In sunken waters walled with sand,
I see,—where all mine ancient land.
Lies yellow like an autumn leaf.
My silver lutes of subtle string
Are rust, but on the grievous breeze,
I hear what sobbing memories,
And muted sorrows murmuring!
Are rust, but on the grievous breeze,
I hear what sobbing memories,
And muted sorrows murmuring!
Across the broken monuments,
Memorial of the dreams of old,
The sunset flings a ghostly gold
To mock mine ancient affluence.
Memorial of the dreams of old,
The sunset flings a ghostly gold
To mock mine ancient affluence.
About the tombs of stone and brass
The silver lights of evening flee;
And slowly now, and solemnly,
I see the pomp of shadows pass.
The silver lights of evening flee;
And slowly now, and solemnly,
I see the pomp of shadows pass.
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