Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE POET'S JOURNAL: THE CHAPEL, by BAYARD TAYLOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE POET'S JOURNAL: THE CHAPEL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Like one who leaves the trampled street
Last Line: The blessed peace that follows pain.
Alternate Author Name(s): Taylor, James Bayard
Subject(s): Churches; Life; Pain; Cathedrals; Suffering; Misery


LIKE one who leaves the trampled street
For some cathedral, cool and dim,
Where he can hear in music beat
The heart of prayer, that beats for him;

And sees the common light of day,
Through painted panes, transfigured, shine,
And casts his human woes away,
In presence of the Woe Divine:

So I, from life's tormenting themes
Turn where the silent chapel lies,
Whose windows burn with vanished dreams,
Whose altar-lights are memories.

There, watched by pitying cherubim,
In sacred hush, I rest awhile,
Till solemn sounds of harp and hymn
Begin to sweep the haunted aisle:

A hymn that once but breathed complaint,
And breathes but resignation now,
Since God has heard the pleading saint,
And laid His hand upon my brow.

Restored and comforted, I go
To grapple with my tasks again;
Through silent worship taught to know
The blessed peace that follows pain.





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