Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 35. CRANMER, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 35. CRANMER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Outstretching flameward his upbraided hand
Last Line: Emblem of faith untouched, miraculous attestation!
Subject(s): Cranmer, Thomas, Archbishop Canterbury


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!






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