Monday, 2 June 2014

Thoughts on The Shrine of Our Lady of The Angels in Engelberg

By William Wordsworth

MEMORIALS OF A TOUR ON THE CONTINENT, 1820

Switzerland: Engelberg
Engelberg, the Hill of Angels
William Wordsworth (1770–1850)
 
FOR gentlest uses, ofttimes Nature takes
The work of Fancy from her willing hands;
And such a beautiful creation makes
As renders needless spells and magic wands,
And for the boldest tale belief commands.        5
When first mine eyes beheld that famous hill
The sacred Engelberg, celestial bands,
With intermingling motions soft and still,
Hung round its top, on wings that changed their hues at will.
 
Clouds do not name those visitants; they were        10
The very angels whose authentic lays,
Sung from that heavenly ground in middle air,
Made known the spot where piety should raise
A holy structure to the Almighty’s praise.
Resplendent apparition! if in vain        15
My ears did listen, ’t was enough to gaze,
And watch the slow departure of the train,
Whose skirts the glowing mountain thirsted to detain!
 





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engelberg_Abbey

From here came the monks to Conception, MO, btw.