A SOUL of many longings entered late A chapel like a jewel blazing bright, And fell upon the altar-steps. All night She held with hopes and agonies debate; With tears the litanies love-passionate Drenched her; triumphant colours burned her white; And, as the incense flamed in silver light, God sealed her to His own novitiate. And then, because her eyes were charmed with peace, And blinded by the stars new-born within The lit sweet lids God's dreams had loverèd,— Nine paces from that House of Ecstasies Her feet were taken in the snares of sin; And, ere the morning quickened, she was dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LITTLE BOY LOST, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE BATTLEFIELD by EMILY DICKINSON THE CALL TO THE COLORS by ARTHUR GUITERMAN SONNET: WRITTEN ON THE DAY THAT MR. LEIGH HUNT LEFT PRISON by JOHN KEATS HELIOTROPE by HARRY THURSTON PECK THE DEATH OF LYON by HENRY PETERSON CRADLE SONG (TO A TUNE OF BLAKE'S): 2 by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE |