Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE NEW FORCES OF CONSCIENCE UNDER THE LONG PARLIAMENT, by JOHN MILTON Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Because you have thrown off your prelate lord Last Line: New presbyter is but old priest writ large. Variant Title(s): On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament Subject(s): Freedom; Great Britain - Parliament; Presbyterianism; Liberty | ||||||||
Because you have thrown off your prelate lord, And with stiff vows renounced his liturgy, To seize the widowed whore Plurality From them whose sin ye envied, not abhorred, Dare ye for this adjure the civil sword To force our consciences that Christ set free, And ride us with a classic hierarchy Taught ye by mere A. S. and Rutherford? Men whose life, learning, faith and pure intent Would have been held in high esteem with Paul Must now be named and printed heretics By shallow Edwards and Scotch what d'ye call: But we do hope to find out all your tricks, Your plots and packings worse than those of Trent, That so the Parliament May with their wholesome and preventive shears Clip your phylacteries, though balk your ears, And succor our just fears When they shall read this clearly in your charge New presbyter is but old priest writ large. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER |
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