High on a rock, coeval with the skies, A Temple stands, reared by immortal powers To Chastity divine! ambrosial flowers Twining round icicles, in columns rise, Mingling with pendent gems of orient dyes! Piercing the air, a golden crescent towers, Veiled by transparent clouds; while smiling hours Shake from their varying wings -- celestial joys! The steps of spotless marble, scattered o'er With deathless roses armed with many a thorn, Lead to the altar. On the frozen floor, Studded with tear-drops petrified by scorn, Pale vestals kneel the Goddess to adore, While Love, his arrows broke, retires forlorn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PORTRAIT OF A MOTOR CAR by CARL SANDBURG THE SPANISH FRIAR: 1-3. LOVE'S DESPAIR by JOHN DRYDEN THE TEMPEST: PROLOGUE by JOHN DRYDEN STRANGE HURT [SHE KNOWS] by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES THE COLLEGE COLONEL by HERMAN MELVILLE THE FALL OF RICHMOND [APRIL, 1865] by HERMAN MELVILLE |