for men whose feet have touched Sardathrion's marble streets, where
even the gods have not been ashamed to come in the guise of men with
Their cloaks wrapped about their faces. Therefore no city shall ever
hear the songs that are sung in the marble citadel by those in whose
ears have rung the voices of the gods. No report shall ever come to
other lands of the music of the fall of Sardathrion's fountains, when
the waters which went heavenward return again into the lake where the
gods cool Their brows sometimes in the guise of men. None may ever hear
the speech of the poets of that city, to whom the gods have spoken.

It stands a city aloof. There hath been no rumour of it--I alone have
dreamed of it, and I may not be sure that my dreams are true.

* * * * *

Above the Twilight the gods were seated in the after years, ruling the
worlds. No longer now They walked at evening in the Marble City hearing
the fountains splash, or listening to the singing of the men they
loved, because it was in the after years and the work of the gods was
to be done.

But often as they rested a moment from doing the work of the gods, from
hearing the prayers of men or sending here the Pestilence or there
Mercy, They would speak awhile with one another of the olden years
saying, "Rememberest thou not Sardathrion?" and another would answer
"Ah! Sardathrion, and all Sardathrion's mist-draped marble lawns
whereon we walk not now."

Then the gods turned to do the work of the gods, answering the prayers
of men or smiting them, and ever They sent Their swarthy servant Time