ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
XXXIX. PAPAL DOMINION
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
UNLESS to Peter’s Chair the viewless wind Must come and ask permission when to blow, What further empire would it have? for now A ghostly Domination, unconfined As that by dreaming Bards to Love assigned, Sits there in sober truth–to raise the low, Perplex the wise, the strong to overthrow; Through earth and heaven to bind and to unbind!– Resist–the thunder quails thee!–crouch–rebuff Shall be thy recompence! from land to land 10 The ancient thrones of Christendom are stuff For occupation of a magic wand, And ’tis the Pope that wields it:–whether rough Or smooth his front, our world is in his hand!