Kings' Palaces

I VISITED the palaces of kings, And marvelled at the storied treasure brought With vast expenditure of time and thought To play upon the heart's imaginings; All cunningly devised and priceless things — Fine sculptured forms, rare, costly gems that caught The sun, great canvases, and fabrics wrought With wondrous skill to give the fancy wings.

But, coming forth, there crowded round my way Such opulence of nature's tapestries, That I reflected how the humblest may Inherit all those lavish treasuries Beside which human art is children's play, And kings' possessions merest travesties.