In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
So twice five miles of fertile ground
With walls and towers were girdled round:
And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,
Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree;
And here were forests ancient as the hills,
Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.
But oh! that deep romantic chasm which slanted
Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover!
A savage place! as holy and enchanted
As e’er beneath a waning moon was haunted
By woman wailing for her demon-lover!
And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething,
As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing,
A mighty fountain momently was forced:
Amid whose swift half-intermitted burst
Huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail,
Or chaffy grain beneath the thresher’s flail:
And ‘mid these dancing rocks at once and ever
It flung up momently the sacred river.
Five miles meandering with a mazy motion
Through wood and dale the sacred river ran,
Then reached the caverns measureless to man,
And sank in tumult to a lifeless ocean:
And ‘mid this tumult Kubla heard from far
Ancestral voices prophesying war!
The shadow of the dome of pleasure
Floated midway on the waves;
Where was heard the mingled measure
From the fountain and the caves.
It was a miracle of rare device,
A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice!
A damsel with a dulcimer
In a vision once I saw:
It was an Abyssinian maid,
And on her dulcimer she played,
Singing of Mount Abora.
Could I revive within me
Her symphony and song,
To such a deep delight ‘twould win me
That with music loud and long
I would build that dome in air,
That sunny dome! those caves of ice!
And all who heard should see them there,
And all should cry, Beware! Beware!
His flashing eyes, his floating hair!
Weave a circle round him thrice,
And close your eyes with holy dread,
For he on honey-dew hath fed
And drunk the milk of Paradise.
Through sunlit caves of ice, roses unfurl amidst dancing waves of serpentine opium smoke and amber tobacco, golden sandalwood, champaca, tea leaf, sugared lily, ginger, rich hay absolute, leather, dark vanilla, mandarin, peru balsam, and Moroccan jasmine.
Mad Tea Party
Mylisse –
For those saying it smells like pencil shaving … I did agree at first… wait let it age and then it is what it is suppose to be -absolutely wonderful! perfect balance of foody and woodsy.
michellejasminet –
Simply delectable! BPAL’s scents are so complexly layered- chocolate and mint of course, with gorgeous woody, nutty undertones. Very warm and soothing, forest-y and sweet, with just a hint of something smokey.
Gloame –
Love love love love LOVE love. Woody chocolate, a hint of crispness, a hint of mossiness. It’s reminiscent of more recent 13 blends. Nothing at all like a crocodile, and everything like perfection. Can’t stop sniffing and I need a bottle!
Where I’d wear this: Dry summers, grabbing an icecream
janessakepler –
This comes out far more woody on me, although the faintest hint of chocolate and mint linger, after half a day of wear the cedar scent has faded away almost entirely but the ghost of chocolate and mint is still on my skin. I was dubious when I smelled it in the imp, because it smelled oddly dusty, but on my skin it is a very warm scent that I enjoy enough to have bought a full size bottle.
marjrob37 –
I’ve just recently discovered BPAL and this was sent as a frimp with my 2nd order and I loved it. In the bottle and wet on my skin it has a strong chocolatey smell with just a touch of mint coming through, but ooh when it dries it is just gorgeous, it becomes lovely and subtle (not overpowering or cloying which chocolate scents can be) with just a hint of cedar and moss. This is definitely a keeper and I’ll be adding a bottle (or 2) to my next order
[email protected] –
Smells like chocolate Greed (lol!) Mint, moss, cedar and a hint of chocolate – foody and woody all at once.
Nuri –
I’m not usually into food smells but PBAL’s gourmands are the best. Its melted chocolate, mint, vanilla and pistachios. I smell like an amazing melted ice cream cone but with a depth that makes it more then just sweets and candy.