The City of God

City of God, how broad and far Outspread thy walls sublime! The true thy chartered freemen are, Of every age and clime. One holy Church, one army strong, One steadfast high intent, One working band, one harvest-song, One King Omnipotent. How purely hath thy speech come down From man’s primeval youth; How grandly hath thine empire grown Of Freedom, Love, and Truth! How gleam thy watchfires through the night, With never fainting ray; How rise thy towers, serene and bright, To meet the dawning day! In vain the surge’s angry shock, In vain the drifting sands; Unharmed, upon the Eternal Rock, The Eternal City stands.

Collection: 
English
1729
Samuel Johnson

More from Poet

  • Charles XII.

    From “The Vanity of Human Wishes” ON what foundations stands the warrior’s pride, How just his hopes, let Swedish Charles decide: A frame of adamant, a soul of fire, No dangers fright him, and no labors tire; O’er love, o’er fear, extends his wide domain, Unconquered lord of pleasure and of...

  • Shakespeare

    From “Prologue” [Spoken by Mr. Garrick at the opening of the Theatre in Drury Lane, in 1747.] WHEN Learning’s triumph o’er her barbarous foes First reared the stage, immortal Shakespeare rose; Each change of many-colored life he drew, Exhausted worlds, and then imagined new: Existence saw...

  • To-morrow

    From “Irene” TO-MORROW’S action! can that hoary wisdom, Borne down with years, still doat upon to-morrow! The fatal mistress of the young, the lazy, The coward and the fool, condemned to lose An useless life in waiting for to-morrow, To gaze with longing eyes upon to-morrow, Till interposing...

  • Inspiration

    Life of Ages, richly poured, Love of God, unspent and free, Flowing in the Prophet’s word And the People’s liberty! Never was to chosen race That unstinted tide confined; Thine is every time and place, Fountain sweet of heart and mind! Secret of the morning stars, Motion of the oldest hours,...

  • The City of God

    City of God, how broad and far Outspread thy walls sublime! The true thy chartered freemen are, Of every age and clime. One holy Church, one army strong, One steadfast high intent, One working band, one harvest-song, One King Omnipotent. How purely hath thy speech come down From man’s...