The Haunted Palace-
In the greenest of our valleys-
By good angels tenanted,-
Once a fair and stately palace-
Radiant palace- reared its head.-
In the monarch Thought's dominion-
It stood there!-
Never seraph spread a pinion-
Over fabric half so fair!-
Banners yellow, glorious, golden,-
On its roof did float and flow,-
(This- all this- was in the olden-
Time long ago,)-
And every gentle air that dallied,-
In that sweet day,-
Along the ramparts plumed and pallid,-
A winged odor went away.-
Wanderers in that happy valley,-
Through two luminous windows, saw-
Spirits moving musically,-
To a lute's well-tuned law,-
Round about a throne where, sitting-
(Porphyrogene!)-
In state his glory well-befitting,-
The ruler of the realm was seen.-
And all with pearl and ruby glowing-
Was the fair palace door,-
Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing,-
And sparkling evermore,-
A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty-
Was but to sing,-
In voices of surpassing beauty,-
The wit and wisdom of their king.-
But evil things, in robes of sorrow,-
Assailed the monarch's high estate.-
(Ah, let us mourn!- for never morrow-
Shall dawn upon him desolate!)-
And round about his home the glory-
That blushed and bloomed,-
Is but a dim-remembered story-
Of the old time entombed.-
And travellers, now, within that valley,-
Through the red-litten windows see-
Vast forms, that move fantastically-
To a discordant melody,-
While, like a ghastly rapid river,-
Through the pale door-
A hideous throng rush out forever-
And laugh- but smile no more.-
|
