TWO HOUSES

In the strange city of life

Two houses I know well:

One wherein Silence a garden hath,

And one where Dark doth dwell.

Roof unto roof they stand,

Shadowing the dizzied street,

Where Vanity flaunts her gilded booths

In the noontide glare and heat.

Green-graped upon their walls

The ancient, hoary vine

Hath clustered their carven lichenous stones

With tendril serpentine.

And ever and anon,

Dazed in that clamorous throng,

I thirst for the soundless fount that stills

Those orchards mute of song.

Knock, knock! nor knock in vain.

Heart, all thy secrets tell

Where Silence a fast-sealed garden hath

Where Dark doth dwell.