As, when a storm hath ceased, the birds regainTheir cheerfulness, and busily retrimTheir nests, or chant a gratulating hymnTo the blue ether and bespangled plain;Even so, in many a re-constructed fane,Have the survivors of this Storm renewedTheir holy rites with vocal gratitude:And solemn ceremonials they ordainTo celebrate their great deliverance;Most feelingly instructed 'mid … [Read more...] about Ecclesiastical Sonnets – Part I. – VII – Recovery, By: William Wordsworth
Ecclesiastical Sonnets – Part I. – VI – Persecution, By: William Wordsworth
Lament! for Diocletian's fiery swordWorks busy as the lightning; but instinctWith malice ne'er to deadliest weapon linkedWhich God's ethereal store-houses afford:Against the Followers of the incarnate LordIt rages; some are smitten in the fieldSome pierced to the heart through the ineffectual shieldOf sacred home; with pomp are others goredAnd dreadful respite. Thus was Alban … [Read more...] about Ecclesiastical Sonnets – Part I. – VI – Persecution, By: William Wordsworth
Ecclesiastical Sonnets – Part I. – V – Uncertainty, By: William Wordsworth
Darkness surrounds us; seeking, we are lostOn Snowdon's wilds, amid Brigantian coves,Or where the solitary shepherd rovesAlong the plain of Sarum, by the ghostOf Time and shadows of Tradition, crost;And where the boatman of the Western IslesSlackens his course, to mark those holy pilesWhich yet survive on bleak Iona's coast.Nor these, nor monuments of eldest name,Nor Taliesin's … [Read more...] about Ecclesiastical Sonnets – Part I. – V – Uncertainty, By: William Wordsworth
Ecclesiastical Sonnets – Part I. – IX – Dissensions, By: William Wordsworth
That heresies should strike (if truth be scannedPresumptuously) their roots both wide and deep,Is natural as dreams to feverish sleep.Lo! Discord at the altar dares to standUplifting toward high Heaven her fiery brand,A cherished Priestess of the new-baptized!But chastisement shall follow peace despised.The Pictish cloud darkens the enervate landBy Rome abandoned; vain are … [Read more...] about Ecclesiastical Sonnets – Part I. – IX – Dissensions, By: William Wordsworth