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James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.

June 5

Sacheverel

By William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

  • Henry Sacheverel, who died on June 5th, 1724, was a High Church divine and Tory politician. He preached two sermons criticising the Whig ministry for which he was prosecuted by Godolphin and suspended from preaching for three years. Public feeling ran high in his favor causing riots in the streets of London at the time of his trial.


  • A SUDDEN conflict rises from the swell

    Of a proud slavery met by tenets strained

    In Liberty’s behalf. Fears, true or feigned,

    Spread through all ranks; and lo! the Sentinel

    Who loudest rang his pulpit ’larum bell,

    Stands at the Bar, absolved by female eyes

    Mingling their glances with grave flatteries

    Lavished on Him—that England may rebel

    Against her ancient virtue. High and Low,

    Watchwords of Party, on all tongues are rife;

    As if a Church, though sprung from heaven, must owe

    To opposites and fierce extremes her life—

    Not to the golden mean, and quiet flow

    Of truths that soften hatred, temper strife.