I gathered with a careless hand, br There where the waters night and day br Are languid in the idle bay, br A little heap of golden sand; br And, as I saw it, in my sight br Awoke a vision brief and bright, br A city in a pleasant land. br br br I saw no mound of earth, but fair br Turrets and domes and citadels, br With murmuring of many bells; br The spires were white in the blue air, br And men by thousands went and came, br Rapid and restless, and like flame br Blown by their passions here and there. br br br With careless hand I swept away br The little mound before I knew; br The visioned city vanished too, br And fall'n beneath my fingers lay.