He imagines Urania, the heavenly Muse, to reprove him for venturing on
sacred ground, and commenting on religious themes; as she would have him
confine his steps to his own Parnassus, and there earn the laurel crown.
But his own tragic Muse, Melpomene, replies with the apology, that though
unworthy to speak of holy mysteries, yet with his earthly song he had
striven to soothe his own aching heart, and render a due tribute to human
love; and inasmuch as the comfort he had drawn was "clasp'd in truth
reveal'd," had its foundation in the Gospel: he daringly
"loiter'd in the Master's field,
And darken'd sanctities with song."
Many readers of _In Memoriam_ will have thanked its author for these
trespasses upon the Holy Land, feeling indeed there was no profane
intrusion.
Some will regret that he has changed the original line, "and dear as
sacramental wine," into "and dear to me as sacred wine:" the purpose, one
supposes, was that the reader should see that he spoke only for
himself--"to me"--the meaning is unchanged, but the sound is rather flat.