NOT utterly unworthy to endure Was the supremacy of crafty Rome; Age after age to the arch of Christendom Aerial keystone haughtily secure; Supremacy from Heaven transmitted pure, As many hold; and, therefore, to the tomb Pass, some through fire -- and by the scaffold some -- Like saintly Fisher, and unbending More. "Lightly for both the bosom's lord did sit "Upon his throne;" unsoftened, undismayed By aught that mingled with the tragic scene Of pity or fear: and More's gay genius played With the inoffensive sword of native wit, Than the bare axe more luminous and keen. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...STORIES ARE MADE OF MISTAKES by JAMES GALVIN A BARD'S EPITAPH by ROBERT BURNS CROTALUS by FRANCIS BRET HARTE THE HOUSEKEEPER by CHARLES LAMB TO JANE: THE RECOLLECTION by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY IDYLL 11. THE CYCLOPS by THEOCRITUS |