XXVII. HIS DESCENDANTS. WHEN thy great soul was freed from mortal chains, XXVIII. INFLUENCE ABUSED. URGED by Ambition, who with subtlest skill Issues the master Mind, at whose fell swoop The chaste affections tremble to fulfil Their purposes. Behold, pre-signified, The Might of spiritual sway! his thoughts, his dreams, Do in the supernatural world abide : So vaunt a throng of Followers, filled with pride In what they see of virtues pushed to extremes, And sorceries of talent misapplied. XXIX. DANISH CONQUESTS. WOE to the Crown that doth the Cowl obey ! * Thus, often, when thick gloom the east o'ershrouds, How no one can resolve; but every eye Around her sees, while air is hushed, a clear And widening circuit of ethereal sky. *See Note. XXX. CANUTE. A PLEASANT music floats along the Mere, near, That we the sweet song of the Monks may hear!" XXXI. THE NORMAN CONQUEST. THE woman-hearted Confessor prepares Hark! 't is the tolling Curfew!- the stars shine; But of the lights that cherish household cares *Which is still extant. To twinkle after that dull stroke of thine, That quench, from hut to palace, lamps and fires, XXXII. COLDLY we spake. The Saxons, overpowered By wrong triumphant through its own excess, From fields laid waste, from house and home devoured By flames, look up to heaven, and crave redress From God's eternal justice. Pitiless Though men be, there are angels that can feel And has a Champion risen in arms to try more; Him in their hearts the people canonize; The least small pittance of bare mould they prize Scooped from the sacred earth where his dear relics lie. XXXIII. THE COUNCIL OF CLERMONT. "AND shall," the Pontiff asks, "profaneness flow From Nazareth, source of Christian piety, From Bethlehem, from the Mounts of Agony And glorified ascension? Warriors, go, With prayers and blessings we your path will sow; Like Moses hold our hands erect, till ye Have chased far off by righteous victory These sons of Amalek, or laid them low!" "GOD WILLETH IT," the whole assembly cry; Shout which the enraptured multitude astounds! The Council-roof and Clermont's towers reply;"God willeth it," from hill to hill rebounds, And, in awe-stricken Countries far and nigh, Through "Nature's hollow arch" that voice resounds.* XXXIV. CRUSADES. THE turbaned Race are poured in thickening swarms Along the west; though driven from Aquitaine, The Crescent glitters on the towers of Spain; And soft Italia feels renewed alarms; * The decision of this Council was believed to be instantly known in remote parts of Europe. |