Robert Silliman Hillyer - "Let all men see the ruins of the shrine" lyrics

Let all men see the ruins of the shrine That I, with pa**ionate and holy care, Built long ago from laughter and despair That godly love might have a fane divine. Let the wide wings of darkness hover where The god of youth once drank his rarest wine, And let the rank breath of some poisoned vine Choke the last sigh that lingers on the air. Hurl the white sanctuary down, and bare Its inmost secrets to the gaze of men, Unveil the altar to the vulgar stare, And let none seek it build it up agin;-- Ah, when the last wall crumbles, stone by stone, I shall go hence that I may weep alone.