Oft have I seen at some cathedral-door A laborer, pausing in the dust and heat, Lay down his burden, and with reverent feet Enter, and cross himself, and on the floor Kneel to repeat his pater-noster o'er; Far off the noises of the world retreat; The loud vociferations of the street Become an undistinguishable roar. So, as I enter here from day to day, And leave my burden at this minster-gate, Kneeling in prayer, and not ashamed to pray, The tumult of the time disconsolate To inarticulate murmurs dies away, While the eternal ages watch and wait. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SMOKING SPIRITUALIZED by RALPH ERSKINE THE LAST CHRYSANTHEMUM by THOMAS HARDY ARABELLA STUART by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS UNCLE SIMON AND UNCLE JIM by CHARLES FARRAR BROWNE THE ITALIAN BISHOP by JOHN BYROM THE KIND WORD by ADA CAMBRIDGE |