Leaving the cathedral, you pass a beautifully sculptured fountain, of the
early time of Francis I., which stands at the corner of the street, to the
right; and which, from its central situation, is visited the livelong day
for the sake of its limpid waters. Push on a little further, then, turning
to the right, you get into a sort of square, and observe the abbey--or
rather the west front of it--full in face of you. You gaze, and are first
struck with its matchless window: call it rose, or marigold, as you
please.
I think, for delicacy and richness of ornament, this window is perfectly
unrivaled. There is a play of line in the mullions, which, considering
their size and strength, may be pronounced quite a masterpiece of art. You
approach, regretting the neglected state of the lateral towers, and enter
through the large and completely opened center doors, the nave of the
abbey. It was toward sunset when we made our first entrance. The evening
was beautiful; and the variegated tints of sunbeam, admitted through the
stained glass of the window, just noticed, were perfectly enchanting.
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