The Sunset City

Henry Sylvester Cornwell (1831–1886)

THERE ’s a city that lies in the Kingdom of Clouds,

In the glorious country on high,

Which an azure and silvery curtain enshrouds,

To screen it from mortal eye;

A city of temples and turrets of gold,

That gleam by a sapphire sea,

Like jewels more splendid than earth may behold,

Or are dreamed of by you and by me.

And about it are highlands of amber that reach

Far away till they melt in the gloom;

And waters that hem an immaculate beach

With fringes of luminous foam.

Aerial bridges of pearl there are,

And belfries of marvellous shapes,

And lighthouses lit by the evening star,

That sparkle on violet capes;

And hanging gardens that far away

Enchantedly float aloof;

Rainbow pavilions in avenues gay,

And banners of glorious woof!

When the Summer sunset’s crimsoning fires

Are aglow in the western sky,

The pilgrim discovers the domes and spires

Of this wonderful city on high;

And gazing enrapt as the gathering shade

Creeps over the twilight lea,

Sees palace and pinnacle totter and fade,

And sink in the sapphire sea;

Till the vision loses by slow degrees

The magical splendor it wore;

The silvery curtain is drawn, and he sees

The beautiful city no more!