C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

The Deserted City

From ‘Songs of the Common Day’

THERE lies a little city leagues away;

Its wharves the green sea washes all day long,

Its busy sun-bright wharves with sailor’s song

And clamor of trade ring loud the livelong day.

Into the happy harbor hastening gay

With press of snowy canvas, tall ships throng.

The peopled streets to blithe-eyed Peace belong,

Glad housed beneath these crowding roofs of gray.

’Twas long ago the city prospered so;

For yesterday a woman died therein,

Since when the wharves are idle fallen, I know,

And in the streets is hushed the pleasant din;

The thronging ships have been, the songs have been,

Since yesterday it is so long ago.