The Church

Oh ! do not think I slight, or scorn, or hate
The zeal wherewith ye view the strong and vast
Dominion of the Church in ages past,
And giant splendour of her huge estate ;
For in her outward semblance she was great. —
A mighty mansion, fit to entertain
All nations, whom the mountain or the plain,
Or Nature, in the length of time, could generate.
Ye wish, I know, we could as one unite.
And have a Church as ample as the sky.
Whence every Church might draw its whole of light,
And not divide, but only multiply.
Good is your purpose ; but, ye English youth.
Are ye quite sure that this is perfect truth ?