"Bread of the world," the choir sang; While deep within the chancel rang The solemn bell, and incense sweet Crept 'round the sculptured Virgin's feet And then was wafted up and up. The priest held the communion cup Uplifted, in the Saviour's name, And unto Him the people came. They knelt beside the altar rail, The old, the young, the strong, the frail. To each in turn the young priest gave The wine, with admonition grave; When, as he came to one old man, A ray of sunlight swiftly ran And circled them—the young, the old. The priest's fair hair was glowing gold, His form erect, his face alight. His purple stole and robe of white Seemed shining raiment of a saint. The radiant sunlight did not paint The humble old man kneeling there In colors such as youth may wear, But touched his snow-white hair and spread A wreath of light about his head. He sipped the chalice, and the priest Passed on. The sun's enchantment ceased. "Wine of the soul," the choir sang; And deep within the chancel rang The solemn bell, while incense sweet Crept 'round the sculptured Virgin's feet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEWEY IN MANILA BAY [MAY 1, 1898] by RICHARD VORHEES RISLEY THE RAINBOW [IN THE SKY] by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE LOAN by SABINE BARING-GOULD BERTHE AND FRANCESCA BRAGGIOTTI by JOSEPHINE V. BROWER THE WANDERER: 6. PALINGENSIS: THE SOUL'S SCIENCE by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON AIRS SUNG AT BROUGHAM CASTLE: DIALOGUE SUNG THE FIRST NIGHT by THOMAS CAMPION |