Poems (Stoddard)/"I live within the stranger's gate"
"I LIVE WITHIN THE STRANGER'S GATE."
I.
I LIVE within the stranger's gate, And count the hoursSince God let fall the bolt of fate!Where the waves fall on yonder shore In cloudy spray,And where the winds forever roar,The pillars of a mansion stand, Without a roof;The saddest ruin in the land!
II.
When sunset strikes across the sea The wreck looms up; Then Memory comes, and touches me.I see a pitiful white face Break through the mouldDecaying at the pillar's base,And hands that beckon me to prayer. But I still curse,And wake the Furies slumbering there!
III.
In the strange drama of the Past It was my partTo hold carousal to the last;It was for me to hide the shame, And brave the worldWith lies about our ancient name!I played it well, and played it long: But let it pass,The world has never known the wrong.
IV.
Upheave, black mould, and totter all The ruin down!Fall, monumental pillars, fall,Upon her grave! Above her breast May ivy creep,And roses blow! I choose to rest.