University of Virginia Library


30

III
TO THE POPE

Vicar of Christ, who holdest in thine hand
A sword far-reaching, keen to save or smite,
Rise up, be strong, shed forth thy Church's light.
The hosts of hell at thy supreme command
May scatter, and that blood-drenched Eastern land
May change its robes of red to robes of white.
Plead with divine authority. Invite
Kings to confer, make nations understand.
Thou art the leader of an army vast,
Vast on the earth, yet vaster in the skies.
On saints, not only upon the living, call.
Trumpet to trumpet echoing through the past
Will answer. Angel-legions will arise,
And Jericho's towers will totter, wall by wall.