Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy By the Rev. H. D. Rawnsley |
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AT THE BALCONY OF THE CHURCH OF THE MADONNA DEL SASSO
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 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
51
AT THE BALCONY OF THE CHURCH OF THE MADONNA DEL SASSO
LOCARNO
Here from the brown friars' balcony I gaze,
The long lake laid like silver at my feet,
The yellow tower with harbour-pool complete;
White Maggia and Ticino's dusty ways
Lost in the purple plain and shimmering haze;
From the near gorge, with sound for labour sweet,
The fall of waters, while the crickets beat
Their chirring drums, and red geraniums blaze.
The long lake laid like silver at my feet,
The yellow tower with harbour-pool complete;
White Maggia and Ticino's dusty ways
Lost in the purple plain and shimmering haze;
From the near gorge, with sound for labour sweet,
The fall of waters, while the crickets beat
Their chirring drums, and red geraniums blaze.
And I am sad; the faith that for the poor
Planted these walls has dwindled; on their knees
Three ancient men implore the Virgin's aid;
Two in the garden tend the brown-backed bees,
Who ply, methinks, to-day a healthier trade
Seeing they drive all idlers from the door.
Planted these walls has dwindled; on their knees
Three ancient men implore the Virgin's aid;
Two in the garden tend the brown-backed bees,
Who ply, methinks, to-day a healthier trade
Seeing they drive all idlers from the door.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |