XXXIV

LATIMER AND RIDLEY

1821 1827

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) 60
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!

XXXV

CRANMER

1821 1822

OUTSTRETCHING flameward 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;
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! 61

XXXVI

GENERAL VIEW OF THE TROUBLES OF THE REFORMATION

1821 1822

AID, glorious Martyrs, from your fields of light, Our mortal ken! Inspire a perfect trust

(While we look round) that Heaven's decrees are

just:

Which few can hold committed to a fight

That shows, ev'n on its better side, the might

Of proud Self-will, Rapacity, and Lust,

'Mid clouds enveloped of polemic dust,

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!

XXXVII

ENGLISH REFORMERS IN EXILE

1821 1822

SCATTERING, like birds escaped the fowler's net, Some seek with timely flight a foreign strand; Most happy, re-assembled in a land

By dauntless Luther freed, could they forget Their Country's woes. But scarcely have they

met,

Partners in faith, and brothers in distress,
Free to pour forth their common thankfulness,
Ere hope declines: their union is beset
With speculative notions rashly sown,

Whence thickly-sprouting growth of poisonous

weeds;

Their forms are broken staves; their passions,

steeds

That master them. How enviably blest
Is he who can, by help of grace, enthrone
The peace of God within his single breast!

XXXVIII

ELIZABETH

1821 1822

HAIL, Virgin Queen! o'er many an envious bar Triumphant, snatched from many a treacherous

wile!

All hail, sage Lady, whom a grateful Isle
Hath blest, respiring from that dismal war
Stilled by thy voice! But quickly from afar
Defiance breathes with more malignant aim;
And alien storms with home-bred ferments claim
Portentous fellowship. Her silver car,

By sleepless prudence ruled, glides slowly on;
Unhurt by violence, from menaced taint
Emerging pure, and seemingly more bright:
Ah! wherefore yields it to a foul constraint
Black as the clouds its beams dispersed, while
shone,

By men and angels blest, the glorious light?