Love, there is a castle built in a country desolate, <br />On a rock above a forest where the trees are grim and great, <br />Blasted with the lightning sharp-giant boulders strewn between, <br />And the mountains rise above, and the cold ravine <br />Echoes to the crushing roar and thunder of a mighty river <br />Raging down a cataract. Very tower and forest quiver <br />And the grey wolves are afraid and the call of birds is drowned, <br />And the thought and speech of man in the boiling water's sound. <br />But upon the further side of the barren, sharp ravine <br />With the sunlight on its turrets is the castle seen, <br />Calm and very wonderful, white above the green <br />Of the wet and waving forest, slanted all away, <br />Because the driving Northern wind will not rest by night or day. <br />Yet the towers are sure above, very mighty is the stead, <br />The gates are made of ivory, the roofs of copper red. <br /> <br />Round and round the warders grave walk upon the walls for ever <br />And the wakeful dragons couch in the ports of ivory, <br />Nothing is can trouble it, hate of the gods nor man's endeavour, <br />And it shall be a resting-place, dear heart, for you and me. <br /> <br />Through the wet and waving forest with an age-old sorrow laden <br />Singing of the world's regret wanders wild the faerie maiden, <br />Through the thistle and the brier, through the tangles of the thorn, <br />Till her eyes be dim with weeping and her homeless feet are torn. <br /> <br />Often to the castle gate up she looks with vain endeavour, <br />For her soulless loveliness to the castle winneth never. <br /> <br />But within the sacred court, hidden high upon the mountain, <br />Wandering in the castle gardens lovely folk enough there be, <br />Breathing in another air, drinking of a purer fountain <br />And among that folk, beloved, there's a place for you and me<br /><br />Clive Staples Lewis<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/world-s-desire/
