Through broken arches moonbeams softly shine. Long trellised rose-sprays, trained by padres' hands, Entwine with slender olive leaves in bands Of wind-stirred tracery. Gray walls combine With red-tiled roof to guard this lonely shrine, Upraised by saintly souls at Love's commands. Despite Time's ravages, this altar stands In beauty breathless as the night divine. Oh, shadow-haunted cloister where brown bird Oft joined the brown Franciscan choir in praise, Your sanctity the fleeting years increase. Nought but the leaves down-fluttering now is heard, Yet your loved bells, in these our earth-bound days, Awake in us dear memories of God's peace. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEATH THE LEVELLER, FR. THE CONTENTION OF AJAX AND ULYSSES by JAMES SHIRLEY JOHN BROWN OF OSAWATOMIE [OCTOBER 16, 1859] by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN THE SECOND COVENANT by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE HEART'S PICTURES by HIRAM H. BICE THE UNKNOWN WAY by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT A HINT TO A YOUNG PERSON, .. IMPROVEMENT, BY READING OR CONVERSATION by JOHN BYROM |