 | Poems |  |
519
IN LONDON—BEFORE ST. PAUL'S.
O would that men would treat this wonder right,Our own St. Peter's, this vast thought of Wren!
This marble marvel should not vainly then
Be fitly sought for by men's eager sight;
Then were it thrown wide open to the light,
Throned in clear space, not prison'd in this den
Of houses mean that shut that up from men
Which should be all men's wonder and delight.
O mighty art thou London, but one thing
Thou lackest greatly—souls to make thee great
Like those that bade great Brunelleschi fling
Grandeur o'er Florence and Ghiberti's gate
Crown her with glory; then the earth should ring
With this world's wonder, fitly seen though late.
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