CATHEDRAL VESPERS

The gloom of night creeps down the shadowy choir,

But through the great rose-window's gorgeous bloom

Red shafts of sunset fall upon a tomb,

And makes the gray stone burn — a crimson pyre.

The creeping tide of darkness rises higher,

Tall ghostly pillars through the shadows loom,

And from dim altars through the minster's gloom,

Pale yellow gleams the guttering candles’ fire.

Sudden from out the shadow streams a song,

— A sword of sound that cleaves the dark in twain —

And rings and glows triumphant, swift and strong,

Victorious over sorrow, death and pain;

And golden visions pass before my soul

As through dim arches the last echoes roll.