ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
XXXVI. AN INTERDICT
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
REALMS quake by turns: proud Arbitress of grace, The Church, by mandate shadowing forth the power She arrogates o’er heaven’s eternal door, Closes the gates of every sacred place. Straight from the sun and tainted air’s embrace All sacred things are covered: cheerful morn Grows sad as night–no seemly garb is worn, Nor is a face allowed to meet a face With natural smiles of greeting. Bells are dumb; Ditches are graves–funereal rites denied; 10 And in the churchyard he must take his bride Who dares be wedded! Fancies thickly come Into the pensive heart ill fortified, And comfortless despairs the soul benumb.