The cloister wall, like towering battlement,

Sierra’s frowning range rich colors donned

From ling’ring Day-Star’s robe; and brilliant hues

Floated like banners on palatial clouds.

Light floods the river, parts its mist-like shrouds;

Each ripple soft, prismatic gleams transfuse.

Below Avila lay; its cross-lit spires

Blended their even-chime with seraph lyres;

O’er mount and vale pealed out their call to prayer,

And stole with joy upon the list’ning air.