Ye Shall Return

by Clark Ashton Smith


	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.