ALONE on the vine-covered hillside, Set gray 'gainst the ivy-clad walnuts, Stands, sombre as Calvin, and barren Of crucifix, altar, and picture, The church of St. Martin. A stranger, I stood where the pride of its arches Looks scorn on the Puritan's sadness. Not prouder for Switzerland's annals The glory of Morat or Sempach Than these darkened tablets that tell us How gladly for Ludlow and Broughton She lifted the shield of protection, How sternly she answered the summons To render her guests to the headsman. The parents that gave their true soul-life Were England and Freedom. Ah, surely With courage and conscience they honored That parentage costly of sorrow, And did the just deed and abided. Long, long were the days that God gave them With friendships and peace in this refuge, Where sadly they yearned for the home-land, And saw their great Oliver's England Bowed low in the dust of dishonor. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COMING AMERICAN by SAM WALTER FOSS THE LABORS OF HERCULES by MARIANNE MOORE OVERTONES by WILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY THE DARK FOREST by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS THE PHANTOM REVIEW by SQUIRE OMAR BARKER THE MAID VAR MY BRIDE by WILLIAM BARNES YOU DON'T BELIEVE by WILLIAM BLAKE |