In the greenest of our valleys <br />By good angels tenanted, <br />Once a fair and stately palace-- <br />Radiant palace--raised its head. <br />In the monarch Thought's dominion <br />It stood there! <br />Never seraph spread a pinion <br />Over fabric half so fair! <br /> <br />Banners yellow, glorious, golden, <br />On its roof did float and flow <br />(This--all this--was in the olden <br />Time long ago), <br />And every gentle air that dallied <br />In that sweet day, <br />Upon the ramparts plumed and pallid, <br />A winged odor went away. <br /> <br />Wanderers in that happy valley, <br />Through two luminous windows, saw <br />Spirits moving musically <br />To a lute's well-timed law. <br />Round about a throne where, sitting, <br />(Porphyrogene!) <br />In state his glory well befitting, <br />The ruler of the realm was seen. <br /> <br />And all with pearl and ruby glowing <br />Was the fair palace-door, <br />Through which came, flowing, flowing, flowing, <br />And sparkling everymore, <br />A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty <br />Was but to sing <br />In voices of surpassing beauty <br />The wit and wisdom of their king. <br /> <br />But evil things, in robes of sorrow, <br />Assailed the monarch's high estate. <br />(Ah, let us mourn--for never morrow <br />Shall dawn upon him desolate!) <br />And round about his house of glory <br />That blushed and bloomed <br />Is but a dim-remembered story <br />Of the old time entombed. <br /> <br />And travelers, now, within that valley <br />Through the red-litten windows see <br />Vast forms that move fantastically <br />To a discordant melody, <br />While, like a ghastly, rapid river, <br />Through the pale door <br />A hideous throng rush out forever <br />And laugh--but smile no more.<br /><br />Edgar Allan Poe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-haunted-palace/
