'Here Man more purely lives, less oft doth fall1,
More promptly rises, walks with nicer heed,
More safely rests, dies happier, is freed
Earlier from cleansing fires, and gains withal
A brighter crown.'--On yon Cistertian wall
That confident assurance may be read;
And, to like shelter, from the world have fled
Encreasing multitudes. The potent call
Doubtless shall cheat full oft the heart's desire;
Yet, while the rugged age on pliant knee
Vows to rapt Fancy humble fealty,
A gentler life spreads round the holy spires;
Where'er they rise, the sylvan waste retires,
And aery harvests crown the fertile lea.
Design, coding, and editing: Copyright © 1997-2004 by James M. Garrett. All rights reserved.