And he who guides the plough, or wields the crook, With understanding spirit now may look Upon her records, listen to her song, Which Faith has suffered, Heaven could calmly brook. Transcendent Boon! noblest that earthly king XXX. THE POINT AT ISSUE. FOR what contend the wise? for nothing less Than that the Soul, freed from the bonds of Sense, And to her God restored by evidence Of things not seen, drawn forth from their recess, Was needful round men thirsting to transgress; Of Christian aspiration, deigned to fill The temples of their hearts who, with his word Informed, were resolute to do his will, XXXI. EDWARD VI. "SWEET is the holiness of Youth"; - so felt Time-honored Chaucer, speaking through that Lay By which the Prioress beguiled the way, And many a Pilgrim's rugged heart did melt. Thy heart! what hopes inspired thy genius, skilled XXXII. EDWARD SIGNING THE WARRANT FOR THE EXECUTION OF JOAN OF KENT. THE tears of man in various measures gush From various sources; gently overflow From blissful transport some, – from clefts of woe Some with ungovernable impulse rush; And some, coeval with the earliest blush Their pearly lustre, coming but to ga; And some break forth when others' sorrows crush The sympathizing heart. Nor these, nor yet To gratitude, to injuries forgiven, Claim Heaven's regard like waters that have wet The innocent eyes of youthful Monarchs, driven pen the mandates nature doth disown. Το XXXIII. REVIVAL OF POPERY. THE saintly Youth has ceased to rule, discrowned For change, to whom the new looks always green! Runs through blind channels of an unknown tongue. XXXIV. LATIMER AND RIDLEY. How fast the Marian death-list is unrolled! 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 "murderer's chain partake, XXXV. CRANMER. OUTSTRETCHING flame-ward his upbraided hand, (O God of mercy, may no earthly Seat Of judgment such presumptuous doom repeat!) Amid the shuddering throng doth Cranmer stand; Firm as the stake to which with iron band His frame is tied; firm from the naked feet To the bare head. The victory is complete ; * See Note. The shrouded Body to the Soul's command Answers with more than Indian fortitude, Through all her nerves with finer sense endued, Till breath departs in blissful aspiration: Then, 'mid the ghastly ruins of the fire, Behold the unalterable heart entire, Emblem of faith untouched, miraculous attestation ! * XXXVI. GENERAL VIEW OF THE TROUBLES OF THE REFORMATION. AID, glorious Martyrs, from your fields of light, Which few can hold committed to a fight Of proud Self-will, Rapacity, and Lust, Which showers of blood seem rather to incite Than to allay. Anathemas are hurled From both sides; veteran thunders (the brute test Of truth) are met by fulminations new, Tartarean flags are caught at, and unfurled, Friends strike at friends,—the flying shall pur sue, And Victory sickens, ignorant where to rest! * For the belief in this fact, see the contemporary Historians. |