ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
XXXVII. ENGLISH REFORMERS IN EXILE
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS
SCATTERING, like birds escaped the fowler’s net, Some seek with timely flight a foreign strand; Most happy, re-assembled in a land By dauntless Luther freed, could they forget Their Country’s woes. But scarcely have they met, Partners in faith, and brothers in distress, Free to pour forth their common thankfulness, Ere hope declines:–their union is beset With speculative notions rashly sown, Whence thickly-sprouting growth of poisonous weeds; 10 Their forms are broken staves; their passions, steeds That master them. How enviably blest Is he who can, by help of grace, enthrone The peace of God within his single breast!