Wars Of York And Lancaster

Thus is the storm abated by the craft Of a shrewd Counsellor, eager to protect The Church, whose power hath recently been checked, Whose monstrous riches threatened. So the shaft Of victory mounts high, and blood is quaffed In fields that rival Cressy and Poictiers-- Pride to be washed away by bitter tears! For deep as Hell itself, the avenging draught Of civil slaughter. Yet, while temporal power Is by these shocks exhausted, spiritual truth Maintains the else endangered gift of life; Proceeds from infancy to lusty youth; And, under cover of this woeful strife, Gathers unblighted strength from hour to hour.