IV.

Like cleansing waters touched with heavenly grace Thy mountain-consecrated words are shed, Lifting our souls to light unshadowèd, Guiding our footsteps in the holy trace Of Him who yet shall make the hills a way— Exalted paths trod by the clean of heart, Shrines for the holy-minded set apart Wherein profaner feet unheeding stray. All nature wins true loving from thy song— Fair not alone with her e’er-changing grace, But, lighting each dear feature of her face The thought of love enduring, pure and strong— True poet, in Parnassus’ shadow still Feeling the loadstone of blessed Calvary’s hill.