DIM thro' the sculptured aisles the sunbeam falls More like a dream Of some imagined beam, Than actual daylight over mortal walls. A strain of music like the rushing wind, But deep and sweet As when the waters meet In one mysterious harmony combined. So swells the mighty organ, rich and full, As if it were the soul Which raised the glorious whole Of that fair building, vast and wonderful. Doth not the spirit feel its influence, All vain and feverish care, All thoughts that worldly are, Strife, tumult, mirth, and fear are banished hence. The world is put aside, within the heart Those hopes arise Thrice sacred mysteries, In which our earthly nature has no part. Oh, Christian Fane, the soul expands in thee, Thine altar and thy tomb Speak of the hope and doom Which leads and cheers man to eternity. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MAN CHILD IS BORN (1839) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS HORATIUS [AT THE BRIDGE], FR. LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME by THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY LAUS VENERIS by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE ON BUTLER'S MONUMENT [IN WESTMINSTER] by SAMUEL WESLEY THE INDIGNANT CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS SOME ACCOUNT OF A NEW PLAY by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |