As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War

5- ☼☼ -I

Replenish'd with their food and coin and cart,

another month proceeds within the range—

in which the wagon once the Saunterer's

doth break, which forces them to leave it be

whilst riding horseback down the road instead—

before the two emerge from mountains' pass

to see a city larger than the one

that did precede their entry to the range,

with spires threat'ning pierce the passing clouds

and gleaming domes of glass, mosaic-shone,                10

and roads of cobblestone instead of dirt

so wide they'd fit abreast four carriages,

permitting that the throng'd pedestrians

manoeuvred to the walls to give them room.

But as the crowd refuses give them berth

they walk their horses through the streets instead

and gaze upon what's offer'd by the street.

The fronts of stores and taverns advertise

with hanging signs of sailing ships upon

the crashing waves, and paddle boat that swims                20

through winding river; flaming Nether-scapes

and rosaries of gold with rot beneath,

that boast such names as Captain's Paradise

and Fishers' Fortune, Place of Morph'd Return

and Prophets' Rivalry respectively.

They pass these vibrant signs of artistry

and other grand displays along the way,

progressing down the street until they find—

without their noticing transitioning

until too late—the buildings at their sides                  30

have disappear'd, replac'd by tents of hide               

and dyed atrociously with colours bright

and clashing. Also stands are set about,

erected transient with structure lack'd,

unmann'd at moment, if at all to be.

Our Pilgrim and the Spouse are puzzled by

the tents and such, which lead them down a street

that twists and turns without an exit clear

t'return to proper city out of here.

They round a corner in this lab'rinthine                       40

conundrum of a place, whereat they freeze                

on sighting here a quadrupedal beast

that's faced away toward a man with whip

some distance down the road, who whistles through

his fingers hook'd inside his mouth toward