ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
III. CISTERTIAN MONASTERY
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
“HERE Man more purely lives, less oft doth fall, “More promptly rises, walks with stricter heed, “More safely rests, dies happier, is freed “Earlier from cleansing fires, and gains withal “A brighter crown.”–On yon Cistertian wall ‘That’ confident assurance may be read; And, to like shelter, from the world have fled Increasing multitudes. The potent call Doubtless shall cheat full oft the heart’s desires; Yet, while the rugged Age on pliant knee 10 Vows to rapt Fancy humble fealty, A gentler life spreads round the holy spires; Where’er they rise, the sylvan waste retires, And aery harvests crown the fertile lea.