Ye Shall Return

Ye who have dwelt in palaces Opulent and decayed and lone Upon oblivion's closer shore, But in some daemon-stirred unrest Departing thence, sojourn awhile By fevered fens and driven seas, Or in the moil of towns unclean And fumes of toiling titan fires; Or climb the sharpened mountain-horns To see earth's kingdoms gleam afar, Litters with promise and mirage Beneath a mistless diamond vault; Or, pausing in Mylitta's vales At yonic altars carved to sin, Purchase the ancient carnal kiss Forewritten on the lips of clay:- Know surely that ye shall return Into the shadow-land ye left, And draw again your languored breath Where breathe the poppies of the dusk.