Saint Peter’s at Rome

Lord Byron (1788–1824)

From “Childe Harold,” Canto IV.

VASTNESS which grows, but grows to harmonize,

All musical in its immensities;

Rich marbles, richer painting, shrines where flame

The lamps of gold, and haughty dome which vies

In air with earth’s chief structures, though their frame

Sits on the firm-set ground,—and this the cloud must claim.

*****

Here condense thy soul

To more immediate objects, and control

Thy thoughts until thy mind hath got by heart

Its eloquent proportions, and unroll

In mighty graduations, part by part,

The glory which at once upon thee did not dart.