Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.
PreludeArthur Christopher Benson (18621925)
H
The reverent people wait,
To see the sacred pomp stream out
Beside the temple-gate.
Stern priests in vesture grim:
With rolling voices swiftly sung
Peals out the jocund hymn.
Beneath the chiming towers,
Pass boys that fling the censer wide,
And striplings scattering flowers.
I dare not claim to be,
But in the concourse and the stir,
There shall be room for me.
The priests are bow’d in prayer:—
I feed the porch with fragrant smoke,
Strew roses on the stair.