When I lately stood with a friend before [the cathedral of]
Amiens, . . . he asked me how read more

When I lately stood with a friend before [the cathedral of]
Amiens, . . . he asked me how it happens that we can no longer
build such piles? I replied: "Dear Alphonse, men in those days
had convictions (Ueberzeugungen), we moderns have opinions
(Meinungen) and it requires something more than an opinion to
build a Gothic cathedral.

Anon, out of the earth a fabric huge
Rose, like an exhalation.

Anon, out of the earth a fabric huge
Rose, like an exhalation.

An architect is the drawer of dreams

An architect is the drawer of dreams

Nor did there want
Cornice or frieze with bossy sculpture graven.

Nor did there want
Cornice or frieze with bossy sculpture graven.

Ah, to build, to build!
That is the noblest of all the arts.

Ah, to build, to build!
That is the noblest of all the arts.

I don't build in order to have clients. I have clients in order to build.

I don't build in order to have clients. I have clients in order to build.

Rich windows that exclude the light,
And passages that lead to nothing.

Rich windows that exclude the light,
And passages that lead to nothing.

Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.

Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.

The hasty multitude
Admiring enter'd, and the work some praise,
And some the architect: his hand was read more

The hasty multitude
Admiring enter'd, and the work some praise,
And some the architect: his hand was known
In heaven by many a tower'd structure high,
Where scepter'd angels held their residence,
And sat as princes.