| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | December 30 | | Wicliffe | | By William Wordsworth (1770–1850) |
| | | | Wicliffe was a celebrated English religious reformer, called “The Morning Star of the Reformation.” He died on Dec. 31, 1384. |
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ONCE more the Church is seized with sudden fear, | |
| And at her call is Wicliffe disinhumed: | |
| Yea, his dry bones to ashes are consumed | |
| And flung into the brook that travels near; | |
| Forthwith, that ancient Voice which Streams can hear | 5 |
| Thus speaks (that Voice which walks upon the wind, | |
| Though seldom heard by busy human kind)— | |
| “As thou these ashes, little Brook! wilt bear | |
| “Into the Avon, Avon to the tide | |
| “Of Severn, Severn to the narrow seas, | 10 |
| “Into main Ocean they, this deed accurst | |
| “An emblem yields to friends and enemies | |
| “How the bold Teacher’s Doctrine, sanctified | |
| “By truth, shall spread, throughout the world dispersed.” | | | |
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