 | Poems, Epigrams and Sonnets |  |
132
IX. ON A DRAWING OF THE CRUCIFIXION
STILL VISIBLE ON A DUNGEON WALL IN the Chateau de Chillon.
Where, lake reflected, Chillon's turrets shine,Where treacherous pitfall lin'd with spike and blade,
Beam, ring and pillar lurk in dreary shade,
Of faith and hope, mark one enduring sign;
Though faint, the eye may scan each lingering line,
Trac'd by some hand which galling chain o'erlaid:
The dying Saviour on the cross pourtray'd,
Converts that cell into a holy shrine.
Nor lone, nor friendless, such a captive deem,
Fill'd with His image, whose abiding love
To him was father, brethren, kindred, all!
And still, while gazing on the narrow gleam
Of azure sky, seen through the grated wall,
Hope pointed heavenward to his home above.
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