[00:07.65]In the greenest of our valleys
[00:11.87]By good angels tenanted,
[00:15.85]Once a fair and stately palace-
[00:20.00]Radiant palace- reared its head.
[00:25.73]In the monarch Thought's dominion-
[00:30.33]It stood there!
[00:33.91]Never seraph spread a pinion
[00:37.93]Over fabric half so fair!
[00:43.88]Banners yellow, glorious, golden,
[00:47.77]On its roof did float and flow,
[00:51.75]This- all this- was in the olden
[00:56.05]Time long ago,
[01:00.43]And every gentle air that dallied,
[01:04.55]In that sweet day,
[01:07.53]Along the ramparts plumed and pallid,
[01:11.74]A winged odor went away.
[01:19.02]Wanderers in that happy valley,
[01:23.45]Through two luminous windows, saw
[01:27.93]Spirits moving musically,
[01:32.19]To a lute's well-tuned law,
[01:36.50]Round about a throne where, sitting.
[01:41.04]Porphyrogene!
[01:43.79]In state his glory well-befitting,
[01:48.34]The ruler of the realm was seen.
[01:53.40]And all with pearl and ruby glowing
[01:57.80]Was the fair palace door,
[02:02.78]Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing,
[02:06.68]And sparkling evermore,
[02:12.20]A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty
[02:16.11]Was but to sing,
[02:21.03]In voices of surpassing beauty,
[02:25.16]The wit and wisdom of their king.
[02:40.72]But evil things, in robes of sorrow,
[02:46.36] Assailed the monarch's high estate.
[02:50.37](Ah, let us mourn!- for never morrow
[02:54.38]Shall dawn upon him desolate!)
[02:57.97]And round about his home the glory
[03:03.10]That blushed and bloomed,
[03:05.27]Is but a dim-remembered story
[03:10.26] Of the old time entombed.
[03:14.73]And travellers, now, within that valley,
[03:19.41]Through the red-litten windows see
[03:24.95]Vast forms, that move fantastically
[03:29.12]To a discordant melody,
[03:33.12]While, like a ghastly rapid river,
[03:37.78]Through the pale door
[03:40.90]A hideous throng rush out forever
[03:45.83]And laugh- but smile no more.