OLD ABBEYS

Monastic Domes! following my downward way,

Untouched by due regret I marked your fall!

Now, ruin, beauty, ancient stillness, all

Dispose to judgments temperate as we lay

On our past selves in life's declining day:

For as, by discipline of Time made wise,

We learn to tolerate the infirmities

And faults of others — gently as he may,

So withour own the mild Instructor deals

Teaching us to forget them or forgive.

Perversely curious, then, for hidden ill

Why should we break Time's charitable seals?

Once ye were holy, ye are holy still;

Your spirit freely let me drink, and live!