Londoners all and citizens of Empire, Who beneath Paul's high benison protected Ply the day's labour, busy and rejoicing, Guard the Cathedral! Faithful hands reared it when along the Thames-side Nought remained standing—magazine or altar; Faithful hearts pray'd then for a renewal, And Wren achiev'd it Grandly; nor spared magnificence to aid him, And the great dome rose as his art commanded. Yearly, so fable telleth us, the master Came in his old age Back to give thanks and meditate, beholding How the pile soared, orbicular, columnar; Then returned homewards happy not to linger Where men assembled. "Seek ye" (he speaks) "my monument? around you Look." To-day that same epitaph proclaims him— Architrave, cornice, pediment, the circling Balcony's ambit. What peril, but that pieties prevent it, Now threatens? Erewhile on a time in earnest Danger encompassed this, as ev'ry minor Fane set about it: Till the long years' imprisoning was over, And the grateful bells rang again, triumphant, —Sweet heralds post-haste on an angel errand— Up to the welkin. O'er the whole restless city Paul resounded, High above rivals—the Clements, the Dunstans, Margarets, Michaels, Katherines, his ancient Dutiful henchmen. @3Te Deum@1 pealed he then aloft—his edict; @3Te Deum@1 peals yet, spreading airy witness Of benign favours on a trusty London Sworn to uphold him. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BELEAGUERED CITY by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW ODES IV, 7. TO TORQUATUS. DIFFUGERE NIVES by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS TWICE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION; A POEM. ENLARGED VERSION: BOOK 1 by MARK AKENSIDE TRANQUIL HABIT by AUGUSTE ANGELLIER THE COMMON LOT by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |