BEFORE my Hall I stood; with sated eye And heavy heart, upon the pile I gaz'd, Which care, and cost, and years of toil had rais'd, From turrets' base to glittering vane on high. Cold critics came, well pleased its faults to spy, Those very faults which smooth-tongued flattery prais'd, While country folk stood silent and amaz'd; "All," my heart whisper'd, "all is vanity." Hark! yonder bell bespeaks the hour of prayer, Far down the vale its gentle echoes steal, Bid youth from sport, and age from toil abstain; Won by that sound, if but one sinner kneel With humble heart and contrite spirit there— Glory to God!—not all, not all is vain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...STANZAS TO A LADY, WITH THE POEMS OF CAMOENS by GEORGE GORDON BYRON A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 21. BREDON HILL by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN ODE ON THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON by ALFRED TENNYSON EIGHTEEN SIXTY-ONE by WALT WHITMAN TIPPERARY: 4. BY OUR OWN A. E. HOUSMAN by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS MY DEAREST WIFE by WILLIAM BARNES THE FOUR ZOAS: THE SONG OF LOS by WILLIAM BLAKE |