Who, should they steal, for want of his relief,
He judged himself accomplice with the thief.'
Wide was his parish; not contracted close
In streets, but here and there a straggling house;
Yet still he was at hand, without request,
To serve the sick, to succour the distress'd;
Tempting, on foot, alone, without affright,
The dangers of a dark tempestuous night.
All this the good old man perform'd alone,
Nor spared his pains; for curate he had none :
Nor durst he trust another with his care;
Nor rode himself to Paul's, the public fair,
To chaffer for preferment with his gold,
Where bishopricks and sinecures are sold:
But duly watch'd his flock by night and day,
And from the prowling wolf redeem'd the prey,
And hungry sent the wily fox away.
The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheer'd, Nor to rebuke the rich offender fear'd.
His preaching much, but more his practice wrought :
(A living sermon of the truths he taught)
For this by rules severe his life he squared,
That all might see the doctrine which they heard:
'For priests,' he said, are patterns for the rest:
(The gold of heaven, who bear the God impress'd)-
But when the precious coin is kept unclean,
The Sovereign's image is no longer seen.
If they be foul, on whom the people trust,
Well may the baser brass contract a rust.'
The prelate for his holy life he prized;
The worldly pomp of prelacy despised.
His Saviour came not with a gaudy show,
Nor was his kingdom of the world below.
Patience in want, and poverty of mind— ·
These marks of church and churchmen he design'd,
And living taught, and dying left behind.
The crown he wore was of the pointed thorn;
In purple he was crucified, not born.
They who contend for place and high degree,
Are not his sons, but those of Zebedee.
Not but he knew the signs of earthly power
Might well become saint Peter's successor :
The holy father holds a double reign;
The prince may keep his pomp-the fisher must be plain.
Such was the saint, who shone with every grace, Reflecting, Moses-like, his Maker's face. God saw his image lively was express'd, And his own work, as in creation, bless'd. The tempter saw him, too, with envious eye, And, as on Job, demanded leave to try. He took the time when Richard was deposed, And high and low with happy Harry closed. This prince, though great in arms, the priest with
Near though he was, yet not the next of blood,
Had Richard unconstrain'd resign'd the throne:
A king can give no more than is his own;
The title stood entail'd, had Richard had a son.
Conquest, an odious name, was laid aside;
Where all submitted, none the battle tried.
The senseless plea of right by Providence,
Was, by a flattering priest, invented since,
And lasts no longer than the present sway,
But justifies the next who comes in play.
The people's right remains; let those who dare, Dispute their power, when they the judges are.
He join❜d not in their choice, because he knew Worse might, and often did, from change ensue ; Much to himself he thought, but little spoke, And, undeprived, his benefice forsook.
Now, through the land, his cure of souls he stretch'd, And like a primitive apostle preach'd:
Still cheerful, ever constant to his call;
By many follow'd, loved by most, admired by all.
With what he begg❜d, his brethren he relieved,
And gave the charities himself received:
Gave, while he taught, and edified the more,
Because he show'd by proof, 'twas easy to be poor.
He went not with the crowd to see a shrine;
But fed us by the way with food divine.
In deference to his virtues, I forbear
To show you what the rest in orders were:
This brilliant is so spotless, and so bright,
He needs no foil, but shines by his own proper light.
CREATOR Spirit! by whose aid
The world's foundations first were laid,
Come visit every pious mind;
Come pour thy joys on human kind;
From sin and sorrow set us free,
And make thy temples worthy thee!
O Source of uncreated light,
The Father's promised Paraclete !
Thrice Holy Fount, thrice Holy Fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come, and thy sacred unction bring
To sanctify us, while we sing.
Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
Rich in thy sevenfold energy!
Thou strength of his Almighty hand,
Whose power does heaven and earth command!
Proceeding Spirit, our defence,
Who dost the gift of tongues dispense,
And crown'st thy gift with eloquence!
Refine and purge our earthly parts;
But, O, inflame and fire our hearts!
Our frailties help, our vice control,
Submit the senses to the soul;
And when rebellious they are grown,
Then lay thy hand, and hold them down.
Chase from our minds the infernal foe,
And peace the fruit of love bestow;
And, lest our feet should step astray, Protect, and guide us in the way.
Make us eternal truths receive, And practise all that we believe : Give us thyself, that we may see The Father, and the Son, by thee. Immortal honour, endless fame, Attend the Almighty-Father's name! The Saviour-Son be glorified,
Who for lost man's redemption died; And equal adoration be,
Eternal Paraclete, to thee!
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