University of Virginia Library

AT FLORENCE—IN FRA ANGELICO'S CELL IN THE CONVENT OF ST. MARK.

Mighty was Launcelot, great Tristram strong,
Yet, stain'd with sin both, strength might not avail
To help them venturing for the Holy Grail;
To Galahad, spotless of all shame and wrong,
All white of heart, did that bless'd quest belong,
And strong in pureness, arm'd in the heavenly mail
Of holiness, he sought and did not fail,
And God's own knight, shines radiant still in song.
So, strong the most bless'd wreaths of art to win,
Are holiest thoughts and blessèdest desires,
Life that lives pure from spot of self or sin,
And, to show forth God's glory, never tires.
So fame, Angelico, thou findest in
Prayers that burn heavenward, in what holy fires.