And now when twenty days were well passed o'er They made a new land; cloudy mountains high Rose from the sea at first; then a green shore Spread fair below them: as they drew anigh No sloping, stony strand could they espy, And no surf breaking; the green sea and wide Wherethrough they slipped was driven by no tide. Dark fell ere they might set their eager feet Upon the shore; but night-long their ship lay As in a deep stream, by the blossoms sweet That flecked the grass whence flowers ne'er passed away. But when the cloud-barred east brought back the day, And turned the western mountain-tops to gold, Fresh fear the shipmen in their bark did hold. For as a dream seemed all; too fair for those Who needs must die; moreover they could see, A furlong off, 'twixt apple-tree and rose, A brazen wall that gleamed out wondrously In the young sun, and seemed right long to be; And memory of all marvels lay upon Their shrinking hearts now this sweet place was won. But when unto the nameless guests they turned, Who stood together nigh the plank shot out Shoreward, within the Strong Man's eyes there burned A wild light, as the other one in doubt He eyed a moment; then with a great shout Leaped into the blossomed grass; the echoes rolled Back from the hills, harsh still and over-bold. Slowly the old man followed him, and still The crew held back: they knew now they were brought Over the sea the purpose to fulfil Of these strange men; and in their hearts they thought, "Perchance we yet shall live, if, meddling nought With dreams, we bide here till these twain come back; But prying eyes the fire-blast seldom lack." Yet 'mongst them were two fellows bold and young, Who, looking each upon the other's face, Their hearts to meet the unknown danger strung, And went ashore, and at a gentle pace Followed the strangers, who unto the place Where the wall gleamed had turned; peace and desire Mingled together in their hearts, as nigher They drew unto that wall, and dulled their fear: Fair wrought it was, as though with bricks of brass; And images upon its face there were, Stories of things a long while come to pass: Nor that alone--as looking in a glass Its maker knew the tales of what should be, And wrought them there for bird and beast to see. So on they went; the many birds sang sweet Through all that blossomed thicket from above, And unknown flowers bent down before their feet; The very air, cleft by the grey-winged dove, Throbbed with sweet scent, and smote their souls with love. Slowly they went till those twain stayed before A strangely-wrought and iron-covered door.