LAMENT! for Diocletian's fiery sword Works busy as the lightning; but instinct With malice ne'er to deadliest weapon linked Which God's ethereal store-houses afford: Against the Followers of the incarnate Lord It rages; some are smitten in the field -- Some pierced to the heart through the ineffectual shield Of sacred home; -- with pomp are others gored And dreadful respite. Thus was Alban tried, England's first Martyr, whom no threats could shake; Self-offered victim, for his friend he died, And for the faith; nor shall his name forsake That Hill, whose flowery platform seems to rise By Nature decked for holiest sacrifice. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FINDING OF THE LYRE by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE CORAL INSECT by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY ROCOCO by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A SOUTHERN NIGHT by MATTHEW ARNOLD ECCLESIASTES by MORRIS GILBERT BISHOP IN VINCULIS; SONNETS WRITTEN IN AN IRISH PRISON: FAREWELL DARK by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE GOLDEN ODES OF PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA: EL HARITH by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT IN THE GARDEN (WITH APOLOGIES TO ALFRED NOYES) by MARJORIE W. BRACHLOW |