EXCOMMUNICATE
I do not find an altar, or a priest,
Nor any sacred still confessional;
Masses and vespers, I must shun them all,
Tho' every belfry bid me to the feast!
I may not wear the cross upon my breast;
Nor make its sign;—or in repentance fall
Before the niched saint. In canticle
I must not chaunt one frail blurred note, or least.
Nor any sacred still confessional;
Masses and vespers, I must shun them all,
Tho' every belfry bid me to the feast!
I may not wear the cross upon my breast;
Nor make its sign;—or in repentance fall
Before the niched saint. In canticle
I must not chaunt one frail blurred note, or least.
For my religion is my joy and shame;
My priest, my altar, canticle, and mass
Art thou! and lest thou hear my creed, and know;
Shouldst hear me sing my love, or pray thy name—
Unshriven with my burden I must go;
Proud, excommunicate, I pagan pass!
My priest, my altar, canticle, and mass
Art thou! and lest thou hear my creed, and know;
Shouldst hear me sing my love, or pray thy name—
Unshriven with my burden I must go;
Proud, excommunicate, I pagan pass!