OBLIGATIONS OF CIVIL TO RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Ungrateful Country, if thou e'er forget

The sons who for thy civil rights have bled!

How, like a Roman, Sidney bowed his head,

And Russell's milder blood the scaffold wet;

But these had fallen for profitless regret

Had not thy holy Church her champions bred,

And claims from other worlds inspirited

The star of Liberty to rise. Nor yet

( Grave this within thy heart! ) if spiritual things

Be lost, through apathy, or scorn, or fear,

Shalt thou thy humbler franchises support,

However hardly won or justly dear:

What came from heaven to heaven by nature clings,

And, if dissevered thence, its course is short.