Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 18. CORRUPTIONS ... CLERGY, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 18. CORRUPTIONS ... CLERGY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Woe to you, prelates! Riding in ease ...'
Last Line: Of justice armed, and pride to be laid low.


"WOE to you, Prelates! rioting in ease
"And cumbrous wealth -- the shame of your estate;
"You, on whose progress dazzling trains await
"Of pompous horses; whom vain titles please;
"Who will be served by others on their knees,
"Yet will yourselves to God no service pay;
"Pastors who neither take nor point the way
"To Heaven; for, either lost in vanities
"Ye have no skill to teach, or if ye know
"And speak the word -- -- " Alas! of fearful things
'Tis the most fearful when the people's eye
Abuse hath cleared from vain imaginings;
And taught the general voice to prophesy
Of Justice armed, and Pride to be laid low.






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net