There rolls the organ anthem down the aisle,

And thousand voices join in its acclaim.

All they are happy—they are on their knees;

Round and above them stare the images

Of antique saints and martyrs. Censers steam

With their Arabian charge of frankincense,

And every heart, with inward fingers, counts

A blissful rosary of pious prayer!

Why should they perish then? Is’t yet too late?

O shame, Firmilian, on thy coward soul!