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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 1: 39. PAPAL DOMINION by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: UNLESS TO PETER'S CHAIR THE VIEWLESS WIND
Last Line: OR SMOOTH HIS FRONT, OUR WORLD IS IN HIS HAND!
Subject(s): POPES; PAPACY;

UNLESS to Peter's Chair the viewless wind
Must come and ask permission when to blow,
What further empire would it have? for now
A ghostly Domination, unconfined
As that by dreaming Bards to Love assigned,
Sits there in sober truth -- to raise the low,
Perplex the wise, the strong to overthrow;
Through earth and heaven to bind and to unbind! --
Resist -- the thunder quails thee! -- crouch -- rebuff
Shall be thy recompence! from land to land
The ancient thrones of Christendom are stuff
For occupation of a magic wand,
And 'tis the Pope that wields it: -- whether rough
Or smooth his front, our world is in his hand!




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