IN my mind's eye a Temple, like a cloud Slowly surmounting some invidious hill, Rose out of darkness: the bright Work stood still: And might of its own beauty have been proud, But it was fashioned and to God was vowed By Virtues that diffused, in every part, Spirit divine through forms of human art: Faith had her arch -- her arch, when winds blow loud, Into the consciousness of safety thrilled; And Love her towers of dread foundation laid Under the grave of things; Hope had her spire Star-high, and pointing still to something higher Trembling I gazed, but heard a voice -- it said, "Hell-gates are powerless Phantoms when 'we' build." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CYMON AND IPHIGENIA by GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO EARTH'S IMMORTALITIES: FAME by ROBERT BROWNING BALLADE OF DEAD ACTORS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY MY LOVE by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE NEWLY WEDDED by WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED BORDER BALLAD [OR MARCH, OR SONG], FR. THE MONASTERY by WALTER SCOTT |