Poems (Kimball)/The Two Cities
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.
Twelve in number are its gateways, numbered by the Seer of old;
Every gate a pearl most lustrous, and its streets axe paved with gold.
Every gate a pearl most lustrous, and its streets axe paved with gold.
In the midst in dazzling whiteness lightens the Eternal Throne;
From it flows the Living water; round it gleams an emerald zone.
From it flows the Living water; round it gleams an emerald zone.
Luscious fruits and balmy odors, healing leaves and cooling shade,
Either side the Life-tree sheddeth by sweet storms of music swayed.
Either side the Life-tree sheddeth by sweet storms of music swayed.
O thou grand untempled City seen by John in visions bright,
Glory-flooded, needing neither sun by day nor moon by night;
Glory-flooded, needing neither sun by day nor moon by night;
Filled forever and forever by the shining light of Him
Who redeemed the world and sitteth throned between the Seraphim!
Who redeemed the world and sitteth throned between the Seraphim!
Through thy lovely gates the nations of the saved in triumph stream,
Chanting praise above all praises, love of love their holy theme.
Chanting praise above all praises, love of love their holy theme.
They no more shall thirst or hunger, they no more with heat shall faint;
Christ for tears will give them gladness, blissful rest for sore complaint.
Christ for tears will give them gladness, blissful rest for sore complaint.
Blessed they who do His bidding; cries the Angel day and night;
They shall find abundant entrance; they shall walk with Him in white.
They shall find abundant entrance; they shall walk with Him in white.