Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SWALLOW'S NEST, by VICTOR MARIE HUGO


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SWALLOW'S NEST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Into the church with pray'r go by
Last Line: God dwelleth too.
Subject(s): Birds' Nests; Churches; God; Swallows; Cathedrals


INTO the church with pray'r go by,
But throw a glance as in you go
At this small nest that's hanging nigh
The portico.

On temples resonant with pray'r
The swallow all untrained and true,
Doth build a little shrine more fair,
More full of blue.

The old porch moss doth softer grow
Round fledgelings that the summer brings,
And they grow quick in the warm glow
Of Christ's own wings.

The shrine where shadows long have lain
Is thrilled with babble of delight;
The nest is full of mirth. The fane
Is full of night.

The never-flinching saints that hear
The arching doorways shake above,
Are glad to feel themselves so near
To spring and love.

The virgins and the seers incline
From their gaunt eyries fain to brood
Over these hives of birds that shrine
Love's holy food.

A bird upon an angel falls;
The apostle smiles upon his shelf,
"Good day to you, brave saint!" he calls.
"Good day, winged elf!"

In shrines is beauty manifest,
And high they soar on heaven's blue;
But in the summer swallow's nest
God dwelleth too.





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