Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

On Hearing the Dies Iræ Sung in the Sistine Chapel (Author: Oscar Wilde)

p.714

1. • 1] Nay, Lord, not thus! white lilies in the spring,
     2] Sad olive-groves, or silver-breasted dove,
     3] Teach me more clearly of Thy life and love
     4] Than terrors of red flame and thundering.
     5] The empurpled vines dear memories of Thee bring:
     6] A bird at evening flying to its nest,
     7] Tells me of One who had no place of rest:
     8] I think it is of Thee the sparrows sing.
   • 9] Come rather on some autumn afternoon,
     10] When red and brown are burnished on the leaves,
     11] And the fields echo to the gleaner's song,
     12] Come when the splendid fulness of the moon
     13] Looks down upon the rows of golden sheaves,
     14] And reap Thy harvest: we have waited long.