 | A sheaf of verse bound for the fair |  |
THE CATHEDRAL.
Round thy walls life's sea is beating,
Like an ever-restless tide,
But within, its waves retreating,
To a holy calm subside.
Like an ever-restless tide,
But within, its waves retreating,
To a holy calm subside.
Sunbeams through thy windows slanting,
Scatter gold and crimson dyes,
Such as, autumn forests haunting,
Glow beneath my native skies.
Scatter gold and crimson dyes,
Such as, autumn forests haunting,
Glow beneath my native skies.
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Statues pale mute watch are keeping
Near the ashes of the bold,
Banners dim with age are sleeping
O'er the tombs so white and cold.
Near the ashes of the bold,
Banners dim with age are sleeping
O'er the tombs so white and cold.
Here the lonely mourner, kneeling,
Feels Love's air upon his brow;
Here, with awed and earnest feeling,
Maidens breathe the bridal vow.
Feels Love's air upon his brow;
Here, with awed and earnest feeling,
Maidens breathe the bridal vow.
Truth's sublime and cheerful dawning
From thy trophies ever smiles,
And a high and sweet forewarning
Whispers through thy dusky aisles.
From thy trophies ever smiles,
And a high and sweet forewarning
Whispers through thy dusky aisles.
Through thy arched recesses wending,
Prince and peasant wander free,
For thy gifts are all-befriending,—
Oft have they befriended me.
Prince and peasant wander free,
For thy gifts are all-befriending,—
Oft have they befriended me.
From gay crowds and sunny places
Unto thee I've fondly turned,
And amid thy solemn graces
Mused until the fire burned.
Unto thee I've fondly turned,
And amid thy solemn graces
Mused until the fire burned.
Here with peace my thoughts have blended,
As the desert wind with balm,
And my heart's vain strife has ended,
Soothed by thy exalted calm.
As the desert wind with balm,
And my heart's vain strife has ended,
Soothed by thy exalted calm.
And since I must seek to-morrow
A far land beyond the sea,
Let me now fresh courage borrow,
As I oft have done from thee!
A far land beyond the sea,
Let me now fresh courage borrow,
As I oft have done from thee!
| A sheaf of verse bound for the fair | |