ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
XVI
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
BISHOPS and Priests, blessed are ye, if deep (As yours above all offices is high) Deep in your hearts the sense of duty lie; Charged as ye are by Christ to feed and keep From wolves your portion of his chosen sheep: Labouring as ever in your Master’s sight, Making your hardest task your best delight, What perfect glory ye in Heaven shall reap!– But, in the solemn Office which ye sought And undertook premonished, if unsound 10 Your practice prove, faithless though but in thought, Bishops and Priests, think what a gulf profound Awaits yon then, if they were rightly taught Who framed the Ordinance by your lives disowned!