The Old Road to Paradise/The Unfound City
THE UNFOUND CITY
(For Alice Brown) There is a city burning in a dream All women know and search for secretly; The swift rose-hearted flame's eternal stream Laps round the changeless towers eternally.
It stands far off above a circling mist. . . . Have ye not seen our eyes that seek its light, Felt the quick sigh between our lips late-kissed, Felt our loosed arms yearn toward it in the night?
Gold Helen found it not, nor white Deirdré: There is no woman, howso loved, can tell Of those white changeless dream-towers seen by day, Of that flame calyxed, perfect citadel:
We shall not ever know its perfect joy, Yet we shall seek it till our years are gone . . .Eternal Love whose fires shall not destroy Eternal Beauty that it beats upon.