Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I listen to the holy antheming
Last Line: Can rule thy stubborn feelings or can teach.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Churches; Hearts; Love; Saints; Cathedrals


I listen to the holy antheming
That riseth in thy walls continually,
What while the organ pealeth solemnly
And white-robed men and boys stand up to sing.
I ask my heart with a sad questioning:
"What lov'st thou here?" and my heart answers me:
"Within the shadows of this sanctuary
To watch and pray is a most blessed thing."
To watch and pray, false heart? it is not so:
Vanity enters with thee, and thy love
Soars not to Heaven, but grovelleth below.
Vanity keepeth guard, lest good should reach
Thy hardness; not the echoes from above
Can rule thy stubborn feelings or can teach.





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