The Ancient Faith


O English hearts, what heart can know 
how spent with labours long ago 
was England's Church that bore you? 
The Paths you tread in lane or street,
long since were trodden 
by the feet of saints that went before you. 
When priests like sudden angels came to light 
in distant shires the flame 
that faith's dull embers cherished, 
when Mass and shrift were sought 
for still in silent farm, on lonely hill, 
ere ancient memories perished. R. A. Knox

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