The Humble Home

 ("L'église est vaste et haute.") 
 
 {IV., June 29, 1839.} 


 The Church{1} is vast; its towering pride, its steeples loom on high; 
 The bristling stones with leaf and flower are sculptured wondrously; 
 The portal glows resplendent with its "rose," 
 And 'neath the vault immense at evening swarm 
 Figures of angel, saint, or demon's form, 
 As oft a fearful world our dreams disclose. 
 But not the huge Cathedral's height, nor yet its vault sublime, 
 Nor porch, nor glass, nor streaks of light, nor shadows deep with time; 
 Nor massy towers, that fascinate mine eyes; 
 No, 'tis that spot—the mind's tranquillity— 
 Chamber wherefrom the song mounts cheerily, 
 Placed like a joyful nest well nigh the skies. 
 
 Yea! glorious is the Church, I ween, but Meekness dwelleth here; 
 Less do I love the lofty oak than mossy nest it bear; 
 More dear is meadow breath than stormy wind: 
 And when my mind for meditation's meant, 
 The seaweed is preferred to the shore's extent,— 
 The swallow to the main it leaves behind. 
 
 Author of "Critical Essays." 
 
 {Footnote 1: The Cathedral Nôtre Dame of Paris, which is the scene of the 
 author's romance, "Nôtre Dame."} 


 

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