A book of Bristol sonnets By H. D. Rawnsley |
 |
ON HEARING THE ORGAN IN THE
CATHEDRAL, WHILE THE WORK IN
THE NAVE WAS SUSPENDED. |
 | A book of Bristol sonnets |  |
15
ON HEARING THE ORGAN IN THE CATHEDRAL, WHILE THE WORK IN THE NAVE WAS SUSPENDED.
I heard the soft, appealing organ blownFaint as from distance, and unseen more sweet;
The half-hewn niche, the pillar incomplete,
As when with lute Amphion moved the stone,
Seemed led to fuller blossom by its tone!
No saw nor hammer rang; no carver's seat
Neighboured the massy blocks; no workman's feet
Had prinkt the dust wherewith the aisles are strown!
Turn, happy Time! In silence set and planned
Rose God's huge House, that wasted Lebanon:
And here, untouched by builder's noisy hand,
Tall pillars grow, the work goes smoothly on;—
Then crashed the chords, jarred man's discordant tongue;
To the bewildered earth the helpless boulders clung!
| A book of Bristol sonnets | |