Alfred An Heroic Poem, in Twenty-Four Books. By Joseph Cottle: 4th ed. |
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 | Alfred |  |
Sibert essay'd to speak.—Alfred again:
‘As once I told thee, now I tell the same—
‘Thou shalt not war! Profession thou hast made
‘Of holiness and of devoted heart
‘To holy ways—flee then th' avenging sword!
‘If wars must come—if human blood must flow—
‘Let those who never bore the prophet's name
‘Stand forth and combat! but the God we serve,
‘In most peculiar way, his ministers
‘Requires to dwell in peace.’—Sigbert replied;
‘As the tall hill catches the sun's last beam,
‘When all beside is twilight, so may I,
‘When death draws near, oh king, remember thee,
‘And these thy words! My heart indeed is fill'd
‘With lasting gratitude. Thy mild rebuke,
‘On this my mind, flashes conviction's light,
‘And for thy precepts, I am nearer heaven.’
‘As once I told thee, now I tell the same—
‘Thou shalt not war! Profession thou hast made
‘Of holiness and of devoted heart
‘To holy ways—flee then th' avenging sword!
‘If wars must come—if human blood must flow—
‘Let those who never bore the prophet's name
‘Stand forth and combat! but the God we serve,
‘In most peculiar way, his ministers
‘Requires to dwell in peace.’—Sigbert replied;
‘As the tall hill catches the sun's last beam,
‘When all beside is twilight, so may I,
‘When death draws near, oh king, remember thee,
‘And these thy words! My heart indeed is fill'd
‘With lasting gratitude. Thy mild rebuke,
‘On this my mind, flashes conviction's light,
‘And for thy precepts, I am nearer heaven.’
| Alfred | |