XVIII
The Bridge of Fire
I
Past the bright door of Heaven whose golden bars
Exclude the interchange of Night and Day,
Crowned with soft light, attired with shining stars,
Dwell the great Gods in durable array.
In all that land no frost, no fever mars
Their timeless periods of pomp and play:
Some drive about the Rim in painted cars,
And others drink eternity away.
The trumpet of their pride
Proclaims them glorified
In chronicles of unremembered sway;
And lady Goddesses
Surround with sweet caress
Their ivied paramours. "O rest!" they say:
"Here at our gentle bosoms lie,
And watch the sun and moon and world and years roll by!"
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