XXIX.

GENERAL VIEW OF THE TROUBLES OF THE REFORMATION.

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 shews, 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
Tartarian flags are caught at, and unfurled —

Friends strike at Friends the flying shall pursue

And Victory sickens, ignorant where to rest!

XXX.

ENGLISH REFORMERS IN EXILE.

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!

XXXI.

ELIZABETH.

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!
For, wheresoe'er she moves, the clouds anon
Disperse; or, under a divine constraint,
Reflect some portion of her glorious light!

XXXII.

EMINENT REFORMERS.

METHINKS that I could trip o'er heaviest soil,
Light as a buoyant Bark from wave to wave,
Were mine the trusty Staff that JEWEL gave
To youthful HOOKER, in familiar style
The gift exalting, and with playful smile:
For thus equipped, and bearing on his head
The Donor's farewell blessing, can he dread
Tempest, or length of way, or weight of toil?
More sweet than odours caught by him who sails
Near spicy shores of Araby the blest,
A thousand times more exquisitely sweet,
The freight of holy feeling which we meet,
In thoughtful moments, wafted by the gales

From fields where good men walk, or bowers wherein they rest.

XXXIII.

THE SAME.

HOLY and heavenly Spirits as they are,
Spotless in life, and eloquent as wise,
With what entire affection do they prize
Their new-born Church! labouring with earnest care
To baffle all that may her strength impair;

That Church the unperverted Gospel's seat;

-

In their afflictions a divine retreat;

Source of their liveliest hope, and tenderest prayer!
The Truth exploring with an equal mind,

In doctrine and communion they have sought
Firmly between the two extremes to steer;
But theirs the wise man's ordinary lot,

To trace right courses for the stubborn blind,
And prophesy to ears that will not hear.