May-garlands, let ... 1822. XL CONTINUED Mine ear has rung, my spirit[328] sunk subdued, Sharing the strong emotion of the crowd, When each pale brow to dread hosannas bowed While clouds of incense mounting veiled the rood, That glimmered like a pine-tree dimly viewed 5 Through Alpine vapours. Such appalling rite Our Church prepares not, trusting to the might Of simple truth with grace divine imbued; Yet will we not conceal the precious Cross, Like men ashamed:[329] the Sun with his first smile Shall greet that symbol crowning the low Pile: 11 And the fresh air of incense-breathing morn[330] Shall wooingly embrace it; and green moss Creep round its arms through centuries unborn. FOOTNOTES: [328] 1827. ... spirits ... 1822. [329] The Lutherans have retained the Cross within their churches: it is to be regretted that we have not done the same.--W. W. 1822. It has always been retained _without_, and is now scarcely less common _within_ the churches of England. Did the poet confound the Cross with the Crucifix?--ED. [330] Compare Gray's _Elegy_, stanza v.-- The breezy call of incense-breathing morn.--ED. XLI NEW CHURCH-YARD The encircling ground, in native turf arrayed, Is now by solemn consecration given To social interests, and to favouring Heaven, And where the rugged colts their gambols played, And wild deer bounded through the forest glade, 5 Unchecked as when by merry Outlaw driven, Shall hymns of praise resound at morn and even; And soon, full soon, the lonely Sexton's spade Shall wound the tender sod. Encincture small, But infinite its grasp of weal and woe![331] 10 Hopes, fears, in never-ending ebb and flow;-- The spousal trembling, and the "dust to dust," The prayers, the contrite struggle, and the trust That to the Almighty Father looks through all. FOOTNOTES: [331] 1837. ... its grasp of joy and woe! 1822. ... in grasp of weal and woe! 1832. XLII CATHEDRALS, ETC. Open your gates, ye everlasting Piles! Types of the spiritual Church which God hath reared; Not loth we quit the newly-hallowed sward And humble altar, 'mid your sumptuous aisles To kneel, or thrid your intricate defiles, 5 Or down the nave to pace in motion slow; Watching, with upward eye,[332] the tall tower grow And mount, at every step, with living wiles Instinct--to rouse the heart and lead the will By a bright ladder to the world above. 10 Open your gates, ye Monuments of love Divine! thou Lincoln, on thy sovereign hill! Thou, stately York! and Ye, whose splendours cheer Isis and Cam, to patient Science dear![333] FOOTNOTES: [332] 1827. ... eyes, ... 1822.