The Church

[ZaunköniG]

The Church

Oh! do not think I slight, or scorn, or hate
The zeal wherewith ye view the strong and vast
Dominion of the Church in agest past,
And gian splendour of her huge estate;

For in her outward semblance she was great, -
A mighty mansion, fit to entertain
All nations, whom the mountain or the plain,
Or Nature, in the lenght of time, could generate.

Ye wish, I know, we could as one unite,
And have a Church as ample as the sky,
Whence every Church might draw its whole of light,

And not divide, but only multiply.
Good is your purpose; but, ye English youth,
Are ye quite sure that this is perfect truth?