Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VII. Descriptive: Narrative. 1904. | | | | Descriptive Poems: III. Places | | Saint Peter’s at Rome | | Lord Byron (1788–1824) |
| | From “Childe Harold,” Canto IV.
VASTNESS which grows, but grows to harmonize, | |
| All musical in its immensities; | |
| Rich marbles, richer painting, shrines where flame | |
| The lamps of gold, and haughty dome which vies | |
| In air with earth’s chief structures, though their frame | 5 |
| Sits on the firm-set ground,—and this the cloud must claim. * * * * * | |
| Here condense thy soul | |
| To more immediate objects, and control | |
| Thy thoughts until thy mind hath got by heart | |
| Its eloquent proportions, and unroll | 10 |
| In mighty graduations, part by part, | |
| The glory which at once upon thee did not dart. | | | | |
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