ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS

IN SERIES, 1821-22. PART III.

XVIII. PASTORAL CHARACTER

          A GENIAL hearth, a hospitable board,
          And a refined rusticity, belong
          To the neat mansion, where, his flock among,
          The learned Pastor dwells, their watchful Lord.
          Though meek and patient as a sheathed sword;
          Though pride's least lurking thought appear a wrong
          To human kind; though peace be on his tongue,
          Gentleness in his heart--can earth afford
          Such genuine state, pre-eminence so free,
          As when, arrayed in Christ's authority,                     10
          He from the pulpit lifts his awful hand;
          Conjures, implores, and labours all he can
          For re-subjecting to divine command
          The stubborn spirit of rebellious man?