The City of God is within you, -- In every man its site, Foundations all laid ready For His Temple of Delight. But who would build upon them Must, like the men of old, With the left hand grasp the sword, With the right the trowel hold. For foes are all around him, Cunning, and fierce, and bold, Ever seeking to confound him, Or to buy his soul for gold. If he would build securely, And build him firm and broad, -- Like those ancient men He must toil, and then, If needs be, fight, To uphold his right To build his City of God. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO HIS FORSAKEN MISTRESS by ROBERT AYTON MOTTO TO THE SONGS OF INNOCENCE & OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE AIM WAS SONG by ROBERT FROST THE VISION (1) by ROBERT HERRICK THE NEW COLOSSUS by EMMA LAZARUS |