Not 'neath the altar only,—yet, in sooth, br There more than elsewhere,—is the cry, “How long?” br The right sown there hath still borne fruit in wrong— br The wrong waxed fourfold. Thence, (in hate of truth) br O'er weapons blessed for carnage, to fierce youth br From evil age, the word hath hissed along:— br “Ye are the Lord's: go forth, destroy, be strong: br Christ's Church absolves ye from Christ's law of ruth.” br Therefore the wine-cup at the altar is br As Christ's own blood indeed, and as the blood br Of Christ's elect, at divers seasons spilt br On the altar-stone, that to man's church, for this, br Shall prove a stone of stumbling,—whence it stood br To be rent up ere the true Church be built.