Ecclesiastical Sonnets – Part II. – XXXIV – Latimer And Ridley, By: William Wordsworth

How fast the Marian death-list is unrolled!
See Latimer and Ridley in the might
Of Faith stand coupled for a common flight!
One (like those prophets whom God sent of old)
Transfigured, from this kindling hath foretold
A torch of inextinguishable light;
The Other gains a confidence as bold;
And thus they foil their enemy’s despite.
The penal instruments, the shows of crime,
Are glorified while this once-mitred pair
Of saintly Friends the “murtherer’s chain partake,
Corded, and burning at the social stake:”
Earth never witnessed object more sublime
In constancy, in fellowship more fair!

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