A dingy picture: others passed it by A dingy picture: others passed it by Without a second glance. To me it seemed Without a second glance. To me it seemed Mine somehow, yet I knew not how, nor why: Mine somehow, yet I knew not how, nor why: It hid some mystic thing I once had dreamed, It hid some mystic thing I once had dreamed, As I suppose. A palace-porch there stood, As I suppose. A palace-porch there stood, With massy pillars and long front, where gleamed With massy pillars and long front, where gleamed Most precious sculptures; but all scarred and seamed Most precious sculptures; but all scarred and seamed By ruining Time. There, in a sullen mood, By ruining Time. There, in a sullen mood, A man was pacing o'er the desolate floor A man was pacing o'er the desolate floor Of weedy marble; and the bitter waves Of weedy marble; and the bitter waves Of the encroaching sea crawled to his feet, Of the encroaching sea crawled to his feet, Gushing round tumbled blocks. I conned it o'er. Gushing round tumbled blocks. I conned it o'er. 'Age-mouldering creeds!' said I. 'A dread sea raves 'Age-mouldering creeds!' said I. 'A dread sea raves To whelm the temples of our fond conceit.' To whelm the temples of our fond conceit.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DAUGHTERS OF JEPHTHA by LOUIS UNTERMEYER TO THE AUTHOR OF 'THE ROBBERS' (SCHILLER) by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: HUMAN LIFE - ITS VALUE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES ON F----- & S----- by WILLIAM BLAKE |