Art

A city ancient, carved in stone

By peoples great of old,

Lies just without the glimm’ring scene

Of youth and beauty keen.

This city long ago was filled 

With life, and craftsmen skilled,

Who loved fair things, and beauty sought,

Cared not they more for aught.

They cast up temples, columns grand

A thousand years to stand;

Great walls with scenes and tales were made

To speak beyond their graves.

And now, apart from teeming streets

Where haste and sparkle pique

A curious eye and passing thought,

But soon will be forgot,

There lies the past, within their reach,

Where artist’s heart would beat

And paint for loveliness alone,

To last ’til world was gone.