Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE MONASTERY OF MARIA EINSIEDELN by JAMES COCHRANE

First Line: TWAS EVENTIDE IN SUMMER'S GLORIOUS PRIME
Last Line: BEFORE ME THUS, ALL UNEXPECTED, BROUGHT!
Subject(s): ALPS; EINSIEDELN, SWITZERLAND; MOUNTAINS; HILLS; DOWNS (GREAT BRITAIN);

'T WAS eventide in summer's glorious prime,
When walking lonely, 'mong the Alpine chain,
I first beheld Einsiedeln's hallowed fane,
In the pure air serene, majestic climb,
And heard her Ave Mary softly chime:
And lo! ev'n while I gazed, along the plain
The monks walked forth, to bless the pilgrim train,
Who came from far to expiate their crime.
I then was but a stripling in my teens,
Delighting in all legendary lore;
Imagination revelled in such scenes;
Then judge my joy, to see what tales of yore
Of pilgrims, monks, and their dear lady, taught,
Before me thus, all unexpected, brought!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net