Built in far other times, those sculptured walls
Attest the faith which our forefathers felt,
Strong faith, whose visible presence yet remains;
We pray with deeper reverence at a shrine
Hallow'd by many prayers. For years, long years,
Years that make centuries—those dimlit aisles,
Where rainbows play, from colour'd windowsflung,
Have echo'd to the voice of prayer and praise;
With the last lights of evening flitting round,
Making a rosy atmosphere of hope.
The vesper hymn hath risen, bearing heaven,
But purified the many cares of earth.
How oft has music rock'd those ancient towers,
When the deep bells were tolling; as they rung,
The castle and the hamlet, high and low,
Obey'd the summons: earth grew near to God,
The piety of ages is around.
Many the heart that has before yon cross
Laid down the burden of its heavy cares,
And felt a joy that is not of this world.
There are both sympathy and warning here;
Methinks as down we kneel by those old graves
The past will pray with us.
The current Beverley Minster was started in 1220. The church is just a parish church, but bigger than many English cathedrals.