In the greenest of our valleys
\n By good angels tenanted,
\nOnce a fair and stately palace \u00e2\u20ac\u201d
\n Radiant palace \u00e2\u20ac\u201d reared its head.
\nIn the monarch Thought’s dominion \u00e2\u20ac\u201d
\n It stood there!
\nNever seraph spread a pinion
\n Over fabric half so fair!
\n
\nBanners yellow, glorious, golden,
\n On its roof did float and flow,
\n(This \u00e2\u20ac\u201d all this \u00e2\u20ac\u201d was in the olden
\n Time long ago,)
\nAnd every gentle air that dallied,
\n In that sweet day,
\nAlong the ramparts plumed and pallid,
\n A wing\u00e8d odor went away.<\/p>\n
Wanderers in that happy valley,
\n Through two luminous windows, saw
\nSpirits moving musically,
\n To a lute’s well-tun\u00e8d law,
\nRound about a throne where, sitting,
\n Porphyrogene,
\nIn state his glory well befitting,
\n The ruler of the realm was seen.<\/p>\n
And all with pearl and ruby glowing
\n Was the fair palace door,
\nThrough which came flowing, flowing, flowing
\n And sparkling evermore,
\nA troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty
\n Was but to sing,
\nIn voices of surpassing beauty,
\n The wit and wisdom of their king.<\/p>\n
But evil things, in robes of sorrow,
\n Assailed the monarch’s high estate.
\n(Ah, let us mourn! \u00e2\u20ac\u201d for never morrow
\n Shall dawn upon him desolate!)
\nAnd round about his home the glory
\n That blushed and bloomed
\nIs but a dim-remembered story
\n Of the old-time entombed.<\/p>\n
And travellers, now, within that valley,
\n Through the encrimson’d windows see
\nVast forms that move fantastically
\n To a discordant melody,
\nWhile, like a ghastly rapid river,
\n Through the pale door
\nA hideous throng rush out forever
\n And laugh \u00e2\u20ac\u201d but smile no more.<\/p>\n