Sonnet Lxx. Milan Cathedral. Poem by Henry Alford

Here stand, beloved, where the outer light
Falls glorified by entrance to the shrine
Of the Eternal; where the tracery fine
Of marble shafts springs upward beyond sight;
And hear the soaring chant in unison
Of manly voices, as by angel--bands
Sent up to God--or see with spreading hands
The fathers shout their ancient benison.
Shun not the full outpouring of thy soul;
Claim not exemption for thy judgment's sake:
He, who will not divided service take,
Loves more the heart of man when offered whole,
Though by unlearned simplicity of fools,
Than all the wrangling of polemic schools.