 | The bells |  |
71
THE TWO CITIES.
There are two worlds about us,
Two worlds in which we dwell—
Within us and without us.—
R. H. Stoddard.
Two worlds in which we dwell—
Within us and without us.—
R. H. Stoddard.
'Twas dusk, and from my window
Upon the street below
I saw the people passing,
Like shadows, to and fro;
Upon the street below
I saw the people passing,
Like shadows, to and fro;
And faintly, very faintly
I heard the ceasing din;
And like the dusk without me
There was a dusk within.
I heard the ceasing din;
And like the dusk without me
There was a dusk within.
And thoughts with eager footsteps,
Dim thoughts of joy and pain,
Filled the streets and by-ways of
The city in my brain.
Dim thoughts of joy and pain,
Filled the streets and by-ways of
The city in my brain.
72
A passing light and holy
Like that which softly falls
Through open gates in cloudlets
Upon cathedral walls,
Like that which softly falls
Through open gates in cloudlets
Upon cathedral walls,
Fell upon the towers of
The city in my mind;
My inward sight grew clearer
My outward vision blind.
The city in my mind;
My inward sight grew clearer
My outward vision blind.
Forgotten was the window;
There seemed no street below,
I did not see them passing,
The shadows, to and fro.
There seemed no street below,
I did not see them passing,
The shadows, to and fro.
I was between Two Cities
In which my spirit dwells;
And I could hear the chimings
Of two sad sets of bells
In which my spirit dwells;
And I could hear the chimings
Of two sad sets of bells
Without the holy Trinity's;
And deep within my soul,
My heart was throbbing like a bell
When it has ceased to toll!
And deep within my soul,
My heart was throbbing like a bell
When it has ceased to toll!
| The bells | |