ENGLISH REFORMERS IN EXILE

Scattering, like birds escaped the fowler's net,

Some seek with timely flight a foreign strand;

Most happy, re-assembled in a land

By dauntless Luther freed, could they forget

Their Country's woes. But scarcely have they met,

Partners in faith, and brothers in distress,

Free to pour forth their common thankfulness,

Ere hope declines:— their union is beset

With speculative notionsrashly sown,

Whence thickly-sprouting growth of poisonous weeds;

Their forms are broken staves; their passions, steeds

That master them. How enviably blest

Is he who can, by help of grace, enthrone

The peace of God within his single breast!