 | Voices and visions |  |
40
BASILICA SAN PIETRO
I
Here in firm armistice do I behold
Antagonisms commingled with strange ease—
Humility and grandeur blent in one,
And meekness with humility allied.
Antagonisms commingled with strange ease—
Humility and grandeur blent in one,
And meekness with humility allied.
How sovereign these vast ceilings, groined with gold!
This bounty of paintings, frescoes, pillars; these
Rich mausoleums of martyr, pope, saint, nun;
This baldachino, towering in bronze pride!
This bounty of paintings, frescoes, pillars; these
Rich mausoleums of martyr, pope, saint, nun;
This baldachino, towering in bronze pride!
II
And yet the Christ, for whose apostle's fame
Such flare and riot of luxury were wrought,
Went barefoot over Galilean sand,
Among the obscure and outcast lowliest He!
Such flare and riot of luxury were wrought,
Went barefoot over Galilean sand,
Among the obscure and outcast lowliest He!
Nay, of the suppliant votaries that came
Seeking His benediction, He besought
Renouncement of their moneys, flocks, and land,
Saying to them, ‘Leave all and follow Me.’
Seeking His benediction, He besought
Renouncement of their moneys, flocks, and land,
Saying to them, ‘Leave all and follow Me.’
Rome.
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