The Way to the Chapter-house: Sacred Retirement VII

Into the deeps, where Ev'ning holds her court,
A feather'd flock are winging their wild flight,
Now gradual fading far, now borne athwart,
And seen again, now lost in Infinite
And Sea of purple ; we, with eager sight
Would match their soaring wings, as on the swell
Of music, ling'ring in some vaulted height, —
Then sink, and feel our chain and earthly cell ; —
When shall the soul be free, and in those glories dwell !