WAS it to disenchant, and to undo, That we approached the Seat of Charlemaine? To sweep from many an old romantic strain That faith which no devotion may renew! Why does this puny Church present to view Her feeble columns? and that scanty chair! This sword that one of our weak times might wear! Objects of false pretence, or meanly true! If from a traveller's fortune I might claim A palpable memorial of that day, Then would I seek the Pyrenean Breach That ROLAND clove with huge two-handed sway, And to the enormous labour left his name, Where unremitting frosts the rocky crescent bleach. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SOHRAB AND RUSTUM by MATTHEW ARNOLD APOLLO by THOMAS HOLLEY CHIVERS THE OLD SHIPS by JAMES ELROY FLECKER THE LITTLE OLD WOMEN; TO VICTOR HUGO by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE THE PASSING OF WOODROW WILSON, PROPHET OF PEACE by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 3. THE DEAD CHRIST by EDWARD CARPENTER |