Page:Carroll - Notes by an Oxford Chiel.djvu/91

Rh When wall and window are black as pitch, And there's no deciding which is which; When the dark Hall's uncertain roof In horror seems to stand aloof; When corner and corner, alternately, Is wrought to an odious symmetry; When distant Thames is heard to sigh And shudder as he hurries by; Then go, if it be worth the while, Then view the Belfry's monstrous pile, And, home returning, soothly swear "'Tis more than Job himself could bear!"'

Its chief merit is its Simplicity—a Simplicity so pure, so profound, in a word, so simple, that no other word will fitly describe it. The meagre outline, and baldness of detail, of the present Chapter, are adopted in humble imitation of this great feature.

The Belfry has no other architectural merits.