Classic Poem

Oi have been in a far land
And seen a lofty gate
And a camel-train sway toward the sand
With chrysoprase for freight —
And seen a lady with a ring
That led me like an eye,
And whichever way her hand would swing,
That way swung I.
I followed like a poppy-fool,
Calling where she went,
" O take my soul and make it cool,
Unwind my cerement! " —
And still the coal-black jewel swung
Before me, left and right,
Like a chant the sea had sung
On a windy night.
Like dust behind her camel's hoof,
I followed in the road
To the golden-rippling roof
Of her august abode.
She turned to see whom her ring had led
And turned away again
Into a palace carven red
With dead desires of men.
The passion in my feet was spent.
I stood before a wall
As wide as the firmament,
As final and as tall.