Page:Poems Jackson.djvu/176

Forgive an hundred thousand fold more guilt
Than his, and cleanse it by his dear blood spilt,"
"I tell you, Sire," the Master said, "I must
Forever weep: I am accursed. I trust
Not in the holy altar-sacrament,
As taught to us; I cannot but dissent
From all the Church doth say of it: and yet
I know my doubts are but temptations set
By Satan's self, to sink my soul to hell.
O Sire, I am a wretched Infidel."
Then said the gentle Bishop:
Then said the gentle Bishop:"This one thing
Tell me, O honest Master, do they bring
Thee pleasure, these dark doubts?"
Thee pleasure, these dark doubts?""O, no! my Sire,"
The weeping Master said: "they burn like fire
Within my bones."
Within my bones.""And could thy lips to speak
Thy doubts be bought by gold? And would'st thou seek
To shake a brother's faith?"
To shake a brother's faith?""I, Sire!" exclaimed
The Master. "I! I would be bruised and maimed,
And torn from limb to limb, ere I would say
Such words."
Such words."Then said the Bishop, smiling: "Lay
Aside now for a space thy grief and fear,
And listen. Soon my meaning will appear,
Though it be strangely hid at first below
My words.
My words.Thou know'st that war is raging now