ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS

IN SERIES, 1821-22. PART II.

XXXIII. REVIVAL OF POPERY

          THE saintly Youth has ceased to rule, discrowned
          By unrelenting Death. O People keen
          For change, to whom the new looks always green!
          Rejoicing did they cast upon the ground
          Their Gods of wood and stone; and, at the sound
          Of counter-proclamation, now are seen,
          (Proud triumph is it for a sullen Queen!)
          Lifting them up, the worship to confound
          Of the Most High. Again do they invoke
          The Creature, to the Creature glory give;                   10
          Again with frankincense the altars smoke
          Like those the Heathen served; and mass is sung;
          And prayer, man's rational prerogative,
          Runs through blind channels of an unknown tongue.