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ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 3: 8. ACQUITTAL OF THE BISHOPS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: A VOICE, FROM LONG-EXPECTING THOUSANDS SENT
Last Line: A PRELATE'S BLESSING ASK ON BENDED KNEES.

A VOICE, from long-expecting thousands sent,
Shatters the air, and troubles tower and spire;
For Justice hath absolved the innocent,
And Tyranny is balked of her desire:
Up, down, the busy Thames -- rapid as fire
Coursing a train of gunpowder -- it went,
And transport finds in every street a vent,
Till the whole City rings like one vast quire.
The Fathers urge the People to be still,
With outstretched hands and earnest speech -- in vain!
Yea, many, haply wont to entertain
Small reverence for the mitre's offices,
And to Religion's self no friendly will,
A Prelate's blessing ask on bended knees.



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