For a Monument at Oxford

HERE Latimer and Ridley in the flames

Bore witness to the truth. If thou hast walked

Uprightly through the world, just thoughts of joy

May fill thy breast in cóntemplating here

Congenial virtue. But if thou hast swerved

From the strait path of even rectitude,

Fearful in trying seasons to assert

The better cause, or to forsake the worse

Reluctant, when perchance therein enthralled

Slave to false shame, O, thankfully receive

The sharp, compunctious motions that this spot

May wake within thee, and be wise in time,

And let the future for the past atone!