ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
XXIV. SAXON MONASTERIES, AND LIGHTS AND SHADES OF THE RELIGION
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
BY such examples moved to unbought pains, The people work like congregated bees; Eager to build the quiet Fortresses Where Piety, as they believe, obtains From Heaven a ‘general’ blessing; timely rains Or needful sunshine; prosperous enterprise, Justice and peace:–bold faith! yet also rise The sacred Structures for less doubtful gains. The Sensual think with reverence of the palms Which the chaste Votaries seek, beyond the grave 10 If penance be redeemable, thence alms Flow to the poor, and freedom to the slave; And if full oft the Sanctuary save Lives black with guilt, ferocity it calms.