There was, before me, br Mile upon mile br Of snow, ice, burning sand. br And yet I could look beyond all this, br To a place of infinite beauty; br And I could see the loveliness of her br Who walked in the shade of the trees. br When I gazed, br All was lost br But this place of beauty and her. br When I gazed, br And in my gazing, desired, br Then came again br Mile upon mile, br Of snow, ice, burning sand.