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Home  »  The Complete Poetical Works by William Wordsworth  »  XVIII. CORRUPTIONS OF THE HIGHER CLERGY

ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS

XVIII. CORRUPTIONS OF THE HIGHER CLERGY

ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS


“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 10 ‘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.