 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
283
GOOD PRIESTS.
And for those Few,—all hail, most honour'd band,Who turning many souls to righteousness,
Greatly beloved, shall in your portion stand,
And shine for ever, blessing and to bless!
Yea,—thou true Bishop, pure and wise and kind,
My verse rebukes not thee; nor thee, good priest,
Who to thy parish with a humble mind
Givest both daily bread and weekly feast;
Nor every canon in Cathedral-dome
Standing bestall'd, a legacy from Rome,
For some may well be tender and devout:
Only against our Church's worldling-brood
Who for the loaves and fishes seek her out,
My zeal has flamed awroth for God and good!
| Three Hundred Sonnets | |