St. John's, Cambridge
St. John's, Cambridge - fact Summary
About Harvard's St. John's Chapel
Longfellow’s poem reflects on his attachment to Harvard through the Chapel of St. John, a campus landmark. The speaker stands beneath a tree by the chapel, recalling a commemorated individual and evocative biblical phrases. The poem links institutional memory and religious language with natural benediction, suggesting that both apostolic teaching and the sheltering boughs offer enduring consolation: "The peace of God, that passeth understanding, / Be and abide with you forevermore!"
Read Complete AnalysesI stand beneath the tree, whose branches shade Thy western window, Chapel of St. John! And hear its leaves repeat their benison On him, whose hand thy stones memorial laid; Then I remember one of whom was said In the world's darkest hour, "Behold thy son!" And see him living still, and wandering on And waiting for the advent long delayed. Not only tongues of the apostles teach Lessons of love and light, but these expanding And sheltering boughs with all their leaves implore, And say in language clear as human speech, "The peace of God, that passeth understanding, Be and abide with you forevermore!"
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