Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
Six Hobnails
By Nathaniel Ward (15781652)T
There, faith cannot be sure,
Where truth cannot be quiet,
Nor ordinances pure.
Nor rightly sway his rod;
Who truly loves not Christ,
And truly fears not God.
As lands should ruled been,
That lets himself be rul’d
By a ruling Roman Queen.
True subject to this State;
Who makes the Pope his Christ,
An heretic his mate.
And Silence make a noise:
Where upper things will not
With nether equipoise.
While Stars will run their race:
The nether World obey,
While people keep their place.
So long ’s the World do last
Then credit not a word
Of what is said and past.