English Benedictines
Chaste poverty, obedience, cloistered peace
And all the trappings of pure holiness,
Faces that smile and hands stretched out to bless,
From Prime to Compline prayers that never cease,
And (flock of lambs with penance whitened fleece)
Troops of fresh boys who pray and sing no less
Devoutly than young angels; these express
Your conquered flesh and sanctity's increase.
But one child's soul bartered for worldly ease
While Judas fingers pointed the broad road,
One heart bereft, one house made desolate—
Abbot, I tell you, trifles such as these,
Now light as air, shall be a fearful load
When with your monks you stand at heaven's locked gate.
And all the trappings of pure holiness,
Faces that smile and hands stretched out to bless,
From Prime to Compline prayers that never cease,
And (flock of lambs with penance whitened fleece)
Troops of fresh boys who pray and sing no less
Devoutly than young angels; these express
Your conquered flesh and sanctity's increase.
But one child's soul bartered for worldly ease
While Judas fingers pointed the broad road,
One heart bereft, one house made desolate—
Abbot, I tell you, trifles such as these,
Now light as air, shall be a fearful load
When with your monks you stand at heaven's locked gate.
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