Hymns and Odes for Charity Occasions IX

Spirit of Wisdom and of Power!
The works of Egypt's mightiest hour,--
The pyramid and vaulted tomb,--
The peerless fane of David's son,
The giant towers of Babylon,--
Old works of grandeur and of gloom,--


The curtained ark, the jewelled vest
That gleamed of old on Aaron's breast,
Works for their glorious beauty famed;
All these, by thine informing mind,
In strength were reared, with skill designed,
And lead our thoughts to thee when named.


Lone columns on the Ionian shore,
And sculptured ruins scattered o'er
Athenian and Corinthian plains,
Of thy departed spirit speak,
That shed a glory round the Greek,
And threw its last light on his chains.


The conqueror's arch, the temple's dome,
Of pagan and of Christian Rome,
Thy kindling spirit taught to swell;
And many a tall monastic pile,
Still frowning o'er our fathers' Isle,
Of thy past inspirations tell.


The arts that bid our navies ride
And thunder o'er the trackless tide,
The arts of dove-winged Peace, are thine.
Spirit of Wisdom and of Power!
Be thou our undecaying tower,
And our adoring hearts thy shrine.