"See, see the wax has dropped from its O love, my love! if I no more should see place, Thyself, nor on the earth the shadow of Sister Helen, 281 Still have their altars; a great market-place Upon two other sides fills all the space, And thence the busy hum of men comes forth; But on the cold side looking toward the north A pillared council-house may you behold, Within whose porch are images of gold, 36 Gods of the nations who dwelt anciently About the borders of the Grecian sea. Pass now between them, push the brazen door, And standing on the polished marble floor Leave all the noises of the square behind; Most calm that reverent chamber shall ye find, 42 Silent at first, but for the noise you made When on the brazen door your hand you laid To shut it after you, but now behold 45 The city rulers on their thrones of gold, Clad in most fair attire, and in their hands Long carven silver-banded ebony wands; Then from the dais drop your eyes and see Soldiers and peasants standing reverently Before those elders, round a little band 51 Who bear such arms as guard the English land, So thitherward he turned, and on each side The folk were busy on the teeming land, 30 And man and maid from the brown furrows cried, He saw a golden image of the Sun, Or midst the newly blossomed vines did A silver image of the Fleet-foot One. stand, 61 Now for the barefoot milking-maidens And there two runners did the sign abide, He entered, and along the streets 'gan fare, A maid stood by him like Diana clad |