Littell's Living Age/Volume 138/Issue 1787/To an Iconoclastic Poet

by J. E. S.

TO AN ICONOCLASTIC POET.

Fight not dead gods, nor think the incense-cloud
Which in our day hides the Eternal Face
Comes from a priestly hand. The heavenly grace
Thou see'st in a bare room or city's crowd,
Abides no less within the costliest fane
Which humble worshippers with patience rear
To speak their thought, and tell them God is near.
They have done what they could, and not in vain.
But love of wealth and of luxurious ease, —
These are our idols now. Poet, fight these!

⁠Stepney, E.J. E. S.