ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
X. STRUGGLE OF THE BRITONS AGAINST THE BARBARIANS
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
RISE!–they ‘have’ risen: of brave Aneurin ask How they have scourged old foes, perfidious friends: The Spirit of Caractacus descends Upon the Patriots, animates their task;– Amazement runs before the towering casque Of Arthur, bearing through the stormy field The virgin sculptured on his Christian shield:– Stretched in the sunny light of victory bask The Host that followed Urien as he strode O’er heaps of slain;–from Cambrian wood and moss 10 Druids descend, auxiliars of the Cross; Bards, nursed on blue Plinlimmon’s still abode, Rush on the fight, to harps preferring swords, And everlasting deeds to burning words!