I am the gate toward the sea: O sailor men, pass out from me!
\nI hear you high on Lebanon, singing the marvels of the sea.
\nThe dragon-green, the luminous, the dark, the serpent-haunted sea,
\nThe snow-besprinkled wine of earth, the white-and-blue-flower foaming sea.<\/p>\n
Beyond the sea are towns with towers, carved with lions and lily flowers,
\nAnd not a soul in all those lonely streets to while away the hours.
\nBeyond the towns, an isle where, bound, a naked giant bites the ground:
\nThe shadow of a monstrous wing looms on his back: and still no sound.<\/p>\n
Beyond the isle a rock that screams like madmen shouting in their dreams,
\nFrom whose dark issues night and day blood crashes in a thousand streams.
\nBeyond the rock is Restful Bay, where no wind breathes or ripple stirs,
\nAnd there on Roman ships, they say, stand rows of metal mariners.<\/p>\n
Beyond the bay in utmost West old Solomon the Jewish King
\nSits with his beard upon his breast, and grips and guards his magic ring:
\nAnd when that ring is stolen, he will rise in outraged majesty,
\nAnd take the World upon his back, and fling the World beyond the sea.<\/i><\/p>\n
–James Elroy Flecker, “The Gates of Damascus,” from The Golden Journey to Samarkand<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I am the gate toward the sea: O sailor men, pass out from me!
\nI hear you high on Lebanon, singing the marvels of the sea.
\nThe dragon-green, the luminous, the dark, the serpent-haunted sea, …<\/i><\/p>\n
–James Elroy Flecker<\/p>\n