At the meeting of the New York Harvard Club, <br />February 21, 1878. <br /> <br />'CHRISTO ET ECCLESLE.' 1700 <br /> <br />To GOD'S ANOINTED AND HIS CHOSEN FLOCK <br />So ran the phrase the black-robed conclave chose <br />To guard the sacred cloisters that arose <br />Like David's altar on Moriah's rock. <br />Unshaken still those ancient arches mock <br />The ram's-horn summons of the windy foes <br />Who stand like Joshua's army while it blows <br />And wait to see them toppling with the shock. <br />Christ and the Church. Their church, whose narrow door <br />Shut out the many, who if overbold <br />Like hunted wolves were driven from the fold, <br />Bruised with the flails these godly zealots bore, <br />Mindful that Israel's altar stood of old <br />Where echoed once Araunah's threshing-floor. <br /> <br /> <br />1643 'VERITAS.' 1878 <br /> <br />TRUTH: So the frontlet's older legend ran, <br />On the brief record's opening page displayed; <br />Not yet those clear-eyed scholars were afraid <br />Lest the fair fruit that wrought the woe of man <br />By far Euphrates--where our sire began <br />His search for truth, and, seeking, was betrayed-- <br />Might work new treason in their forest shade, <br />Doubling the curse that brought life's shortened span. <br />Nurse of the future, daughter of the past, <br />That stern phylactery best becomes thee now <br />Lift to the morning star thy marble brow <br />Cast thy brave truth on every warring blast! <br />Stretch thy white hand to that forbidden bough, <br />And let thine earliest symbol be thy last!<br /><br />Oliver Wendell Holmes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/two-sonnets-harvard/
