84. Saint Philip and the Middle Ages

Pining for old poetic times.
Young hearts have oft unwisely grieved,
As though there were no days like those
When men loved less than they believed.

Yet are they sure, if on those days
Their span of trial had been cast,
They would have well, in penance drear,
The lonjr-snstained ordeal passed?

Teasing hair-shirt and prickly chain,
Rude discipline and bed of earth, —
Would they have tamed by these rough ways
Their love of ease and pride of birth?

God's poor, God's Church, — are these to-day
Welcomed and nourislied at their cost,
Yea, to the brink of poverty?
If not, how sounds their idle boast?

Ah no! it is not jewelled cope.
Brave pomps nor incense-laden air,
Can lull the pains of aching hearts.
Or bring the Saviour's pardon there.

Ko! to be safe, these outward thmgs
Interior strictness must control;
To play with beauty and with art
Saves Uv.., nor heals, the wounded soul.

IS"©! dear Saint Philip! we must learn
Our wisdom in thy heavenly school.
Love thy restraints, and wear thy yoke,
And ])ersevere beneath thy rule.

Love is to us, in these late days,
What faith in those okl times might be;
He that hath love lacks not of faith,
And hath beside love's liberty.