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| IN Ulm’s Domkirche high there stands | |
| An altar carved by master hands; | |
| The loveliest forms, of leaf and flower, | |
| Are wrought in wood, with cunning power. | |
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| Twined with the linden tassel-blows | 5 |
| In one spring wreath, wave bud and rose; | |
| The freshness, and fair promise sweet | |
| Of all June mornings in it meet. | |
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| But quainter emblems, curves as fair, | |
| The left side of the altar share; | 10 |
| A wreath festooned of seed capsules, | |
| Where loving skill held graver’s tools. | |
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| The pea-pod and the shepherd’s purse, | |
| The crowned row of the henbane’s hearse; | |
| The rose-hip and the moonwort’s shield, | 15 |
| The poppy’s star-cup from the field. | |
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| Which is the fairer garland, say,— | |
| The beauteous blossoms of a day, | |
| Or the seed-vessels, which but mask | |
| Long floral generations? Ask | 20 |
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| The craftsman, to what thought his choice | |
| Of either wreath, his tool gave voice? | |
| Which looks the brighter or the duller, | |
| When wrought in monotone of color? | |
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| Which is the sweeter, flower or fruit? | 25 |
| Which is most precious? You are mute,— | |
| The dewy morning, before strife; | |
| The glory of completed life! | |
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