THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS Of WILLIAM WORDSWORTH COMPLIMENTS OF BARTLEBY.COM ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS IN SERIES, 1821-22. PART II. IX AS faith thus sanctified the warriors crest While from the Papal Unity there came, What feebler means had failed to give, one aim Diffused thro all the regions of the West; So does her Unity its power attest By works of Art, that shed, on the outward frame Of worship, glory and grace, which who shall blame That ever looked to heaven for final rest? Hail countless Temples! that so well befit Your ministry; that, as ye rise and take 10 Form spirit and character from holy writ, Give to devotion, wheresoeer awake, Pinions of high and higher sweep, and make The unconverted soul with awe submit. IN SERIES, 1821-22. PART III. XVII. PLACES OF WORSHIP AS star that shines dependent upon star Is to the sky while we look up and love; As to the deep fair ships which though they move Seem fixed, to eyes that watch them from afar; As to the sandy desert fountains are, With palm-groves shaded at wide intervals, Whose fruit around the sun-burnt Native falls Of roving tired or desultory war-- Such to this British Isle her christian Fanes, Each linked to each for kindred services; 10 Her Spires, her Steeple-towers with glittering vanes Far-kenned, her Chapels lurking among trees, Where a few villagers on bended knees Find solace which a busy world disdains. IN SERIES, 1821-22. PART II. XXIX. TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE BUT, to outweigh all harm, the sacred Book, In dusty sequestration wrapt too long, 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. Transcendent boon! noblest that earthly King Ever bestowed to equalize and bless 10 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. MEMORIALS OF A TOUR ON THE CONTINENT, 1820 II. BRUGES BRUGES I saw attired with golden light (Streamed from the west) as with a robe of power: The splendour fled; and now the sunless hour, That, slowly making way for peaceful night, Best suits with fallen grandeur, to my sight Offers the beauty, the magnificence, And sober graces, left her for defence Against the injuries of time, the spite Of fortune, and the desolating storms Of future war. Advance not--spare to hide, 10 O gentle Power of darkness! these mild hues; Obscure not yet these silent avenues Of stateliest architecture, where the Forms Of nun-like females, with soft motion, glide!
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:27:35 +0000
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