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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HOSPENTHAL, by NATHANIEL LANGDON FROTHINGHAM Poet's Biography First Line: Full dawn upon the heights of st. Gothard! Last Line: His matin-prayer aloud. Subject(s): Hospenthal, Switzerland | |||
FULL dawn upon the heights of St. Gothard! Wild nature and rude life! And close-heaped dwellings where few comforts are, Seemed with them both at strife. The desolate church spoke little to the soul; And yet its claim would put, When the quaint round-tower on its rocky knoll Invited not the foot. The stranger entered, peering dimly round; No being met his sight; No sign of motion and no breath of sound Stirred in that early light. He walked and gazed and mused awhile, when, look! In funeral trappings dressed, A child its last mysterious slumber took, Christ's emblems on its breast. Close by the altar's steps they laid it out, -- Out from all harm and dearth, -- And nearer than elsewhere, they did not doubt, To the God of heaven and earth. He was not now alone; the newly dead A strange, sad presence made, Which all night long its unheard lesson read, Through the deep double shade. No, not alone: lo, spirits back from the Lord, A loved, lamented crowd! He bent, like Jacob, o'er his staff, and poured His matin-prayer aloud. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BURYING-GROUND by NATHANIEL LANGDON FROTHINGHAM THE CROSSED SWORDS by NATHANIEL LANGDON FROTHINGHAM THE METROPOLITAN TOWER by SARA TEASDALE EPITAPH (ON A COMMONPLACE PERSON WHO DIED IN BED) by AMY LEVY WHAT THEY ASK by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |
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