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...SONNET: ADDRESSED TO HAYDON (1) by JOHN KEATS SATIRE: 3. TO SIR FRANCIS BRIAN by THOMAS WYATT THE SECOND MOTHERHOOD by ST. CLAIR ADAMS GREAT THOUGHTS by PHILIP JAMES BAILEY OSTRA by ELLEN FRANCES BALDWIN NIGHT-WIND by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN CASTLES OF THE SEA by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |