Bernard of Cluny

“ For my Flesh is of Earth, and earthward must keep,
Far, far from the Gladness I yearn for and weep.
O City eternal, built safe on the Shore,
Thy Walls and thy Turrets shine white evermore.
Long hallowed thy Splendors, fair City of Peace,
When Time and its Tumults, then silent, shall cease. ”

“ Are dimmed by the Lustre which circles their Christ.
O Day without Time, O Sea without Shore,
O sweet Fountain flowing with Wine evermore,
The Waters of Life come gushing alone,
From thy Wells which are set in the pure living Stone. ”

“ The chief Defect of the Poem is its Want of Progress. It eddies round the Subject, recurring again and again to Illustrations and Thoughts which before have been thoroughly treated and dismissed. This Blemish has been obviated, as far as possible, in this free Translation. But the hopeful, liberal, and humane Theology which breathes through the whole Poem, the Spirit of which is indicated in the Lines above quoted, has been rendered according to the obvious Tone and Inspiration of the Poet. ”