在我的周围，一排排的房子矗立着，在我的头顶上，阴森、笔直、高耸，它们往上爬;梯田像长长的灰色礁石在天空的映衬下倾斜着。人们一层一层挤在一起居住;每一面窄窄的空心墙都填满了;在那蜂巢中，遥远而高的地方，我有一间房。当我转到我的街道上时，我听到一阵嘈杂声从我的脚下涌了出来——城市从我的脚下退去!,瞧!两道笔直的长墙之间，有一个宁静的小公园，那里有被熏黑的树和栏杆围成一条绿色的小手帕!但我能看到屋顶那边的太阳，星星和…上帝! For proof -- Between the twisting chimney-pots A pointing finger, old, aloof! The traffic that the city rends Within my quiet haven ends In a deep murmur, or across My pool a gentle ripple sends. A chime upon the silence drab Paints music; hooting motors stab The pleasant peace; and, far and faint, The jangling lyric of the cab! And when I wander, proud and free, Through my domain, unceasingly The endless pageant of the shops Marches along the street with me. About me ever blossoming Like rich parterres the hoardings fling An opulence of hue, and make Within my garden endless Spring. The droning tram-cars spitting light: And like great bees in drunken flight Burly and laden deep with bloom, The 'busses lumbering home at night! Sometimes an afternoon will fling New meaning on each sombre thing, And low upon the level roofs The sultry sun lies smouldering. Sometimes the fog -- that faery girl -- Her veil of wonder will unfurl, And crescent gaunt and looming flat Are sudden mysteries of pearl! New miracles the wet streets show; On stems of flame the gas-lamps glow. I walk upon the wave and see Another London drowned below! And when night comes strange jewels strew The winding streets I wander through: Like pearls upon a woman's throat The street-lamps' swerving avenue! In every face that passes mine Unfathomed epics I divine: Each figure on the pavement is A vial of untasted wine! Through lands enchanted wandering, To all a splendour seems to cling. Lo! from a window-beacon high Hope still the Night is questioning! And so, ere sleep, I lie and mark Romance's stealthy footsteps. Hark! The rhythm of the horse's hoof Bears some new drama through the dark! So in this tall and narrow street I lie as in Death's lone retreat And hear, loud in the pulse of Life, Eternity upon me beat!