Poems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume II. by Jean Ingelow
page 124 of 487 (25%)
page 124 of 487 (25%)
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When that the Moors betook them to their sand, Their domination over in fair Spain, Each locked, men say, his door in that loved land, And took the key in hope to come again. On Moorish walls yet hung, long dust each hand, The keys, but not the might to use, remain; Is there such house in some blest land for me? I can, I will, I do reach down the key. A country conquered oft, and long before, Of generations aye ordained to win; If mine the power, I will unlock the door. Enter, O light, I bear a sunbeam in. What, did the crescent wane! Yet man is more, And love achieves because to heaven akin. O life! to hear again that wandering bell, And hear it at thy feet, Estelle, Estelle. Full oft I want the sacred throated bird, Over our limitless waste of light which spoke The spirit of the call my fathers heard, Saying 'Let us pray,' and old world echoes woke Ethereal minster bells that still averr'd, And with their phantom notes th' all silence broke. 'The fanes are far, but whom they shrined is near. Thy God, the Island God, is here, is here.' To serve; to serve a thought, and serve apart To meet; a few short days, a maiden won. |
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