MARK you the floore? That square and speckled stone Which looks so firm and strong, Is Patience: And th' other black and grave, wherewith each one Is checker'd all along, Humilitie: The gentle rising, which on either hand Leads to the quire above, Is Confidence: But the sweet cement, which in one sure band Ties the whole frame, is Love And Charitie. Hither sometimes Sinne steals, and stains The marbles neat and curious veins: But all is cleansed when the marble weeps. Sometimes Death, puffing at the doore, Blows all the dust about the floore; But while he thinks to spoil the room, he sweeps. Blest be the Architect, whose art Could build so strong in a weak heart. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EFFIGY OF A NUN (SIXTEENTH CENTURY) by SARA TEASDALE NOVEMBER BLUE by ALICE MEYNELL PROSOPOPOIA, OR MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE by EDMUND SPENSER IL PLEUT DOUCEMENT SUR LA VILLE by PAUL VERLAINE PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 21. YAKBUZU WA YABSUTU by EDWIN ARNOLD UNSOPHISTICATED WISHES, BY MISS JEMINA INGOLDSBY, AGED 15 by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM THE LITTLE OLD WOMEN; TO VICTOR HUGO by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE |