XXIX.

REVIVAL OF POPERY.

THE saintly Youth has ceased to rule, discrowned
By unrelenting Death. O People keen

For change, to whom the new looks always green!
Rejoicing did they cast upon the ground

Their Gods of wood and stone; and, at the sound
Of counter-proclamation, now are seen,
(Proud triumph is it for a sullen Queen!)
Lifting them up, the worship to confound
Of the Most High. Again do they invoke
The Creature, to the Creature glory give ;
Again with frankincense the altars smoke
Like those the Heathen served; and mass is sung;
And prayer, man's rational prerogative,

Runs through blind channels of an unknown tongue.

XXX.

LATIMER AND RIDLEY.

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)
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 al 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!

* See Note.

XXXI.

CRANMER.

OUTSTRETCHING flame-ward his upbraided hand ( God of mercy, may no carthly Sent

Of judgment such presumptuous doom repeat!)
Amid the shuddering throng doth Cranmer stand;
Firm as the stake to which with iron band

Ilis 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,

k

Emblem of faith untouched, miraculous attestation!*

For the belief in this fact, soe the contemporary Historians.

Am, glorious Martyre, 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 pursue
And Victory sickens, ignorant where to rest!

XXXIII.

ENGLISH REFORMERS IN EXILE.

SCATTERING, like birds escaped the fowler's net,
Some seck 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 conimon 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!