Poem by Louise Imogen Guiney

Undertones at Magdalen

Fair are the finer creature-sounds; of these
Is Magdalen full: her bees, the while they drop
Susurrant in the garth from weeds atop;
And round the priestless Pulpit, auguries
Of wrens in council from a hundred leas;
And Cherwell fish in laughter fain to stop
The water-plantain’s way; and deer that crop
Delicious herbage under choral trees.
The cry for silver and gold in Christendom
Without, threads not her silence and her dark.
Only against the isolate Tower there break
Low rhythmic rumours of good men to come:
Invasive seas of hushed approach, that make
Memorial music, would the ear but hark.

1. Of Joan’s Youth
2. The Vigil-at-Arms
3. Spring Nightfall
4. Florentin
5. A Madonna of Domenico Ghirlandajo

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