Lays and Legends of Ancient Greece, with Other Poems By John Stuart Blackie |
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THE STATUE OF THE VIRGIN MARY IN THE MARKET PLACE, MUNICH. |
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 | Lays and Legends of Ancient Greece, with Other Poems |  |
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THE STATUE OF THE VIRGIN MARY IN THE MARKET PLACE, MUNICH.
The people stream, the cars come rattling by,The hum of life swells loud; and yet before
This pillared idol these mute worshippers pour
Their prayers in reverent low-hushed piety.
Art thou a Presbyterian strict, thy head
To a clear creed well schooled? beware to damn
Their ignorant worship; to the great I am
Crude notions from man's pious fancy bred
Stint not His liberal grace. A stammering prayer,
Lisped from unlettered lips, will sooner climb
Into God's ear than sounding speech sublime,
Stilted with learning, and with reasons fair
Well-propped. Invoked as Allah, Mary, Jove,
He hears in Heaven, whose one true name is Love.
| Lays and Legends of Ancient Greece, with Other Poems | |