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| OF temples built by mortal hands, | |
| Give honor to the Lateran first; | |
| ’T was here the hope of many lands— | |
| The infant Church was nursed: | |
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| And grew unto a great estate, | 5 |
| And waxed strong in grace and power, | |
| With Christ for head and faithful mate, | |
| And learning for her dower. | |
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| Since first this house to him was raised, | |
| Three times five hundred years have run; | 10 |
| For this let Constantine be praised, | |
| An English mother’s son! | |
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| He with his own imperial sword | |
| Did dig foundations broad and deep, | |
| That henceforth in his hand the Lord | 15 |
| Rome and her hills should keep. | |
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| In after ages, one by one, | |
| Arose the altars vowed to Heaven; | |
| Each crest is sacred now, but none | |
| Like this of all the Seven! | 20 |
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| Behold she stands! The Mother Church! | |
| A queen among her countless peers! | |
| Ah! open be that sacred porch | |
| For thrice five hundred years! | |
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