The Statue Over the Cathedral Door
from The German Of Julius Mosen
The Statue Over the Cathedral Door - meaning Summary
Childlike Compassion in Stone
The poem describes a statue above a cathedral door that stands among saints and kings but uniquely moves the speaker because it bears images of swallows, fledglings, flowers and weeds. The statue’s calm, childlike presence suggests compassionate simplicity and resilience amid storm. The speaker longs to be similarly exalted: to have his songs—likened to green leaves and blossoms—attract and comfort like birds, enduring through wind and tempest.
Read Complete AnalysesForms of saints and kings are standing The cathedral door above; Yet I saw but one among them Who hath soothed my soul with love. In his mantle,--wound about him, As their robes the sowers wind,-- Bore he swallows and their fledglings, Flowers and weeds of every kind. And so stands he calm and childlike, High in wind and tempest wild; O, were I like him exalted, I would be like him, a child! And my songs,--green leaves and blossoms,-- To the doors of heaven would hear, Calling even in storm and tempest, Round me still these birds of air.
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