OUTSTRETCHING flameward his upbraided hand (O God of mercy, may no earthly Seat Of judgment such presumptuous doom repeat!) Amid the shuddering throng doth Cranmer stand; Firm as the stake to which with iron band His frame is tied; firm from the naked feet To the bare head. The victory is complete; The shrouded Body to the Soul's command Answers with more than Indian fortitude, Through all her nerves with finer sense endued, Till breath departs in blissful aspiration: Then, 'mid the ghastly ruins of the fire, Behold the unalterable heart entire, Emblem of faith untouched, miraculous attestation! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE DEATH OF JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK TO SIR HENRY CARY by BEN JONSON AN ECHO FROM WILLOW-WOOD by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI TO A SNOWFLAKE by FRANCIS THOMPSON THANKS BE TO GOD by JANIE ALFORD LOVE IN THE DAWN by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE VIOLIN'S ENCHANTRESS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |