{The visible church how prone was she to abjure} {Allegiance to Christ's Kingdom and entwine} With glorious flowers that shall for aye endure Weeds on whose front the world had fixed her sign. False man--if with thy trials thus it fared-- If good can smooth the way to evil choice, From hasty answer be our minds kept free; He only judges right who weighs, compares, And, in the sternest sentence that his voice May utter, ne'er abandons charity. C. II "FROM FALSE ASSUMPTION ROSE, AND FONDLY HAIL'D" Published 1845 From false assumption rose, and fondly hail'd By superstition, spread the Papal power; Yet do not deem the Autocracy prevail'd Thus only, even in error's darkest hour. She daunts, forth-thundering from her spiritual tower Brute rapine, or with gentle lure she tames. 6 Justice and Peace through Her uphold their claims; And Chastity finds many a sheltering bower. Realm there is none that if controul'd or sway'd By her commands partakes not, in degree, 10 Of good, o'er manners arts and arms, diffused: Yes, to thy domination, Roman See, Tho' miserably, oft monstrously, abused By blind ambition, be this tribute paid.[119] FOOTNOTES: [119] The following version of this sonnet is from a MS. copy of it in Wordsworth's own handwriting.--ED. On false assumption, though the Papal Power Rests, and spreads wide, beduped, by ignorance hailed, A darker empire must have else prevailed, For deeds of mischief strengthening every hour. Behold how thundering from her spiritual tower She daunts brute rapine, cruelty she tames. Justice and charity through her assert their claims, And chastity finds many a sheltering bower. Realm is there none that, if controlled or swayed By her commands, partakes not in degree Of good, on manners arts and arms diffused: To mock thy exaltation, Roman See, And to the Autocracy, howe'er abused Through blind ambition, be this tribute paid. III CISTERTIAN MONASTERY[120] "_Here Man more purely lives, less oft doth fall,_ _More promptly rises, walks with stricter heed,[121]_ _More safely rests, dies happier, is freed_ _Earlier from cleansing fires, and gains withal_ _A brighter crown._"[122]--On yon Cistertian wall 5 _That_ confident assurance may be read; And, to like shelter, from the world have fled Increasing multitudes. The potent call Doubtless shall cheat full oft the heart's desires:[123] Yet, while the rugged Age on pliant knee 10 Vows to rapt Fancy humble fealty, A gentler life spreads round the holy spires; Where'er they rise, the sylvan waste retires, And aëry harvests crown the fertile lea. FOOTNOTES: