XIX. APOLOGY. Nor utterly unworthy to endure As many hold; and, therefore, to the tomb Pass, some through fire- -and by the scaffold some- Than the bare axe more luminous and keen. XX. IMAGINATIVE REGRETS. DEEP is the lamentation! Not alone XXI. REFLECTIONS. GRANT, that by this unsparing Hurricane And airy bonds are hardest to disown; XXII. TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE. BUT, to outweigh all harm, the sacred Book, Assumes the accents of our native tongue; And he who guides the plough, or wields the crook, With understanding spirit now may look Upon her records, listen to her song, And sift her laws-much wondering that the wrong, Which Faith has suffered, Heaven could calmly brook. Transcendant Boon! noblest that earthly King Ever bestowed to equalize and bless Under the weight of mortal wretchedness! But passions spread like plagues, and thousands wild With bigotry shall tread the Offering Beneath their feet-detested and defiled. XXIII. THE POINT AT ISSUE. FOR what contend the wise? for nothing less 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, And worship him in spirit and in truth. |