Through broken arches moonbeams softly shine. Long trellised rose-sprays, trained by padres' hands, Entwine with slender olive leaves in bands Of wind-stirred tracery. Gray walls combine With red-tiled roof to guard this lonely shrine, Upraised by saintly souls at Love's commands. Despite Time's ravages, this altar stands In beauty breathless as the night divine. Oh, shadow-haunted cloister where brown bird Oft joined the brown Franciscan choir in praise, Your sanctity the fleeting years increase. Nought but the leaves down-fluttering now is heard, Yet your loved bells, in these our earth-bound days, Awake in us dear memories of God's peace. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE NEW APOCRYPHA: BUSINESS REVERSES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOW-WORM by WILLIAM COWPER TO JOHN DONNE (1) by BEN JONSON THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW (SEPTEMBER 25, 1857) by ROBERT TRAILL SPENCE LOWELL PSALM 13 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |