At Pian Luthero, Soglio

No wonder, in the valley far below,
        That Luther’s meadow every June is white
        With fair St. Bruno’s stars; that on this height,
Round Luther’s Plain, the scarlet lilies blow:
For here men stood who, brave to overthrow
        That creed which hung between them and the
            Light,
        Man’s mediatorial darkness, claimed the right
Of lonely souls, their Father’s love to know.

Wherefore each Spring the white flowers’ starry host
    Gleams in yon valley meadow, to proclaim
        That there of old, upon a Christmas morn,
        To Bethlehem’s star, a people’s vow was sworn,
And, symbol of God’s glorious Pentecost,
    Here lilies break to scarlet tongues of flame.

(Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy, p. 79)