THE TWO CITIES.
ON the dusky shores oi evening stretched in shining peace it lies,
City built of clouds and sunshine, wonder of the western skies!
City built of clouds and sunshine, wonder of the western skies!
While I watch and long for pinions thitherward to take my flight,
Slowly the aerial City fades and vanishes from sight.
Slowly the aerial City fades and vanishes from sight.
Ruby dome and silver temple, circling wall of amethyst,
Fall in silence leaving only purple ruin hung with mist.
Fall in silence leaving only purple ruin hung with mist.
Darkness gathers eastward, westward; stronger waxeth my desire
Reaching through celestial spaces glittering as with rain of fire,
Reaching through celestial spaces glittering as with rain of fire,
To the City set in jasper having twelve foundations fair,
Flashing from their jewelled splendor every color soft and rare.
Flashing from their jewelled splendor every color soft and rare.
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