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1770–1850

REVIVAL OF POPERY

William Wordsworth

The saintly Youth has ceased to rule, discrowned By unrelenting Death.O People keen For change, to whom the new looks always green! Rejoicing did they cast upon the ground

Their Gods of wood and stone; and, at the sound Of counter-proclamation, now are seen, ( Proud triumph is it for a sullen Queen! ) Lifting them up, the worship to confound

Of the Most High. Again do they invoke The Creature, to the Creature glory give; Again with frankincense the altars smoke Like those the Heathen served; and mass is sung;

And prayer, man's rational prerogative, Runs through blind channels of an unknown tongue.

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REVIVAL OF POPERY · William Wordsworth · Poetry Cove