ST. AGNES. I. DEEP on the convent-roof the snows The shadows of the convent-towers Still creeping with the creeping hours Make Thou my spirit pure and clear As are the frosty skies, Or this first snowdrop of the year That in my bosom lies. II. As these white robes are soiled and dark, To yonder shining ground; As this pale taper's earthly spark, To yonder argent round; So shows my soul before the Lamb, So in mine earthly house I am, To that I hope to be. Break up the heavens, O Lord! and far, Thro' all yon starlight keen, Draw me, thy bride, a glittering star, In raiment white and clean. III. He lifts me to the golden doors; For me the Heavenly Bridegroom waits, The sabbaths of Eternity, One sabbath deep and wide- SIR GALAHAD. I. My good blade carves the casques of men, My strength is as the strength of ten, The shattering trumpet shrilleth high, They reel, they roll in clanging lists, II. How sweet are looks that ladies bend For them I battle till the end, To save from shame and thrall: But all my heart is drawn above, My knees are bow'd in crypt and shrine: I never felt the kiss of love, Nor maiden's hand in mine. More bounteous aspects on me beam, III. When down the stormy crescent goes, Then by some secret shrine I ride ; I hear a voice, but none are there; The stalls are void, the doors are wide, The tapers burning fair. Fair gleams the snowy altar-cloth, The silver vessels sparkle clean, The shrill bell rings, the censer swings, IV. Sometimes on lonely mountain-meres I leap on board: no helmsman steers: A gentle sound, an awful light! V. When on my goodly charger borne The cock crows ere the Christmas morn, The tempest crackles on the leads, And, ringing, spins from brand and mail; But o'er the dark a glory spreads, And gilds the driving hail. I leave the plain, I climb the height; VI. A maiden knight-to me is given I Such hope, I know not fear; yearn to breathe the airs of heaven That often meet me here. |