James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
June 30Acquittal of the Bishops
By William Wordsworth (17701850)
A
Shatters the air, and troubles tower and spire;
For Justice hath absolved the innocent,
And Tyranny is balked of her desire:
Up, down, the busy Thames—rapid as fire
Coursing a train of gunpowder—it went,
And transport finds in every street a vent,
Till the whole City rings like one vast quire.
The Fathers urge the People to be still,
With outsretched hands and earnest speech—in vain!
Yea, many, haply wont to entertain
Small reverence for the mitre’s offices,
And to Religion’s self no friendly will,
A Prelate’s blessing ask on bended knees.