444 444 441 449 4 4ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS. IN SERIES1. [Composed mostly in 1821.-Published 1822.] PART I. FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY INTO BRITAIN TO THE "A verse may catch a wandering Soul, that flies I. INTRODUCTION. I, WHO accompanied with faithful pace Full oft the unworthy brow of law force: And, for delight of him who tracks course, Cerulean Duddon from its cloud-fed Immortal amaranth and palms abouri 10 II. If there be prophets on whose spir rest Past things, revealed like future, th can tell What Powers, presiding o'er the sad well Of Christian Faith, this savage Is blessed With its first bounty. Wandering thro the west, Of a HOLY RIVER, on whose banks are Did holy Paul a while in Britain dwe found And call the Fountain forth by mirad Sweet pastoral flowers, and laurels that And with dread signs the nascent Stre have crowned invest? 1 The Ecclesiastical Sonnets (first so called in 1887; previously Ecclesiastical Sketches) were ten for the most part in 1821, and published in 1822. Chronological notes are attached only to sommets to which this observation does not apply.-ED. 2 This motto, from George Herbert, was added in 1827.-Ed. See Note, p. 920. Or He, whose bonds dropped off, whose From every sympathy that Man beprison doors ΙΟ stowed! Yet shall it claim our reverence, that to New open, by an Angel's voice unbarred ? 5 Ir some of humbler name, to these wild Ancient of days! that to the eternal Sire, shores These jealous Ministers of law aspire, torm-driven; who, having seen the cup As to the one sole fount whence wisdom of woe ass from their Master, sojourned here to Justice, and order. Tremblingly escaped, guard As if with prescience of the coming he precious Current they had taught to flow? III. TREPIDATION OF THE DRUIDS. BEAMS round the Arch-druid's brow the sea-mew 1-white flowed, primal truth Glimmers through many a superstitious form Menai's foam; and toward the mystic That fills the Soul with unavailing ruth. ring here Augurs stand, the Future ques V. UNCERTAINTY. DARKNESS surrounds us; seeking, we are lost coves, at, in the lapse of ages, hath crept o'er On Snowdon's wilds, amid Brigantian duvian truths, and patriarchal lore. aughty the Bard: can these meek doctrines blight is transports? wither his heroic strains? it all shall be fulfilled;-the Julian spear 10 Or where the solitary shepherd roves 6 way first opened; and, with Roman Slackens his course to mark those holy chains, e tidings come of Jesus crucified; ceive the faith, and in the hope abide. IV. DRUIDICAL EXCOMMUNICATION. Nor characters of Greek or Roman fame, ERCY and Love have met thee on thy In vain, upon the growing Rill may gaze. road, It rages; some are smitten in the fieldSome pierced to the heart through the ineffectual shield Fair houses, baths, and banquets delica And temples flashing, bright as pol ice, Their radiance through the woods-m yet suffice Of sacred home;-with pomp are others To sap your hardy virtue, and abate Your love of Him upon whose forehe gored That Rome provides, less dreading fro her frown Than from her wily praise, her peace gown, Language, and letters;-these, thou fondly viewed As humanising graces, are but parts And instruments of deadliest servitude! IX. DISSENSIONS. THAT heresies should strike (if truth scanned Presumptuously) their roots both wi and deep, Is natural as dreams to feverish sleep. Lo! Discord at the altar dares to stam Uplifting toward high Heaven her te brand, A cherished Priestess of the new-ba tized! But chastisement shall follow peace spised. The Pictish cloud darkens the enerva land By Rome abandoned; vain are supplias cries, And prayers that would undo her foro farewell; For she returns not.-Awed by her o knell, She casts the Britons upon Allies, stran Soon to become more dreaded enemies Than heartless misery called them repel. X. STRUGGLE OF THE BRITONS AGAINST THE BARBARIANS. Will build their savage fortunes only there; Content, if foss, and barrow, and the girth BE!-they have risen: of brave Aneurin Of long-drawn rampart, witness what they were. Pagan night. Afflicted and dismayed, A BRIGHT-HAIRED company of youthful e Relics of the sword flee to the mountains: 6 |