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.
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The hand that rounded Peter's dome
And groined the aisles of Christian Rome,
Wrought in a sad read more
The hand that rounded Peter's dome
And groined the aisles of Christian Rome,
Wrought in a sad sincerity;
Himself from God he could not free;
He builded better than he knew;
The conscious stone to beauty grew.
Old houses mended,
Cost little less than new, before they're ended.
Old houses mended,
Cost little less than new, before they're ended.
Nor did there want
Cornice or frieze with bossy sculpture graven.
Nor did there want
Cornice or frieze with bossy sculpture graven.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of
the corner.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of
the corner.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down
the middle wall of partition read more
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down
the middle wall of partition between us; . . .
Earth proudly wears the Parthenon
As best gem upon her zone.
Earth proudly wears the Parthenon
As best gem upon her zone.
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.
No hammers fell, no ponderous axes rung,
Like some tall palm the mystic fabric sprung.
Majestic silence.
No hammers fell, no ponderous axes rung,
Like some tall palm the mystic fabric sprung.
Majestic silence.
Architecture is frozen music.
[Ger., Die Backunst ist eine erstarrte Musik.]
Architecture is frozen music.
[Ger., Die Backunst ist eine erstarrte Musik.]
