Spirit of Wisdom and of Power! <br />The works of Egypt's mightiest hour,- <br />The pyramid and vaulted tomb,- <br />The peerless fane of David's son, <br />The giant towers of Babylon,- <br />Old works of grandeur and of gloom,- <br /> <br /> <br />The curtained ark, the jewelled vest <br />That gleamed of old on Aaron's breast, <br />Works for their glorious beauty famed; <br />All these, by thine informing mind, <br />In strength were reared, with skill designed, <br />And lead our thoughts to thee when named. <br /> <br /> <br />Lone columns on the Ionian shore, <br />And sculptured ruins scattered o'er <br />Athenian and Corinthian plains, <br />Of thy departed spirit speak, <br />That shed a glory round the Greek, <br />And threw its last light on his chains. <br /> <br /> <br />The conqueror's arch, the temple's dome, <br />Of pagan and of Christian Rome, <br />Thy kindling spirit taught to swell; <br />And many a tall monastic pile, <br />Still frowning o'er our fathers' Isle, <br />Of thy past inspirations tell. <br /> <br /> <br />The arts that bid our navies ride <br />And thunder o'er the trackless tide, <br />The arts of dove-winged Peace, are thine. <br />Spirit of Wisdom and of Power! <br />Be thou our undecaying tower, <br />And our adoring hearts thy shrine.<br /><br />John Pierpont<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hymns-and-odes-for-charity-occasions-ix/
