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THE POETS' CHANTRY
day poetry. His work is a precious heritage: memorable for its artistic beauty and its deep human sympathy; but in the last analysis most memorable for its essential Catholicity, its spiritual profundity and elevation.
Ah! let the sweet birds of the Lord
With earth's waters make accord;
Teach how the crucifix may be
Carven from the laurel-tree,
Fruit of the Hesperides
Burnish take on Eden-trees,
The Muses' sacred grove be wet
With the red dew of Olivet,
And Sappho lay her burning brows
In white Cecilia's lap of snows!
It is Thompson himself who has achieved this costly and mystical quest!
