BY such examples moved to unbought pains, The people work like congregated bees; Eager to build the quiet Fortresses Where Piety, as they believe, obtains From Heaven a 'general' blessing; timely rains Or needful sunshine; prosperous enterprise, Justice and peace: -- bold faith! yet also rise The sacred Structures for less doubtful gains. The Sensual think with reverence of the palms Which the chaste Votaries seek, beyond the grave If penance be redeemable, thence alms Flow to the poor, and freedom to the slave; And if full oft the Sanctuary save Lives black with guilt, ferocity it calms. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MA LADY'S LIPS AM LIKE DE HONEY (NEGRO LOVE SONG) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON AN ODE, PARAPHRASED: THE CUP by ANACREON THE PRAIRIES by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE EXEQUY [ON HIS WIFE] by HENRY KING (1592-1669) ROBINSON CRUSOE by MOTHER GOOSE THE CAVALIER'S SONG by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 86. LOST DAYS by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI |