I looked from Mount Derision at Two ivory thrones that were in space, Whereon a man and woman sat -- The very parallels of grace -- Not lovelier has ever been By mortal seen! Then One unto the Other said Tell me the secret, hidden well, Which you have never uttered; And I to you again will tell My guarded thought, and we shall know Each other, so -- ! Then He -- When those who kneel beside My holy altar do not bear A gift, I turn my face aside And give no hearing to the prayer; But whoso brings a gift shall see The proof of Me -- And She -- When, on a festal day, Youth kneels by youth before my shrine, I think, if he or he might lay A ruddy cheek to mine, And comfort my sick soul, I'd lay My crown away -- ! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 24 by OMAR KHAYYAM FITZ-GREENE HALLECK, AT THE UNVEILING OF HIS STATUE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER IN NOVEMBER by ANNE REEVE ALDRICH BALLADE OF MYSELF AND MONSIEUR RABELAIS by LEONARD BACON (1887-1954) FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: A LOFTY MIND by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES WRITTEN ON WHITSUN-MONDAY, 1795 by MATILDA BARBARA BETHAM-EDWARDS |