Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Italy: Vols. XI–XIII. 1876–79.
Milan Cathedral
By John Bruce Norton (1815–1883)N
My heart, this delicate stone tracery,
From base to finial, climbing toward the sky,
While saint and angel countless niches fill,
If naught more holy than mere craftsman’s skill
Had wrought this fine lace-like embroidery
Of marble; and with lavish industry
Tossed fruit and flower, at its fantastic will,
About, around, in fairy showers y-sprent;—
No; this profusion of ethereal beauty
Sprang from a softer influence than duty:
By reverent love the plan was fashioned;
By earnest love, the obedient chisel led,
Prankt it in tenderest embodiment.