Its blessings on the Gaul;
“Or sit upon thy throne of lies,
A poor, mean idol, blood-besmeared,
Whom even its worshippers despise—
Unhonored, unrevered!”
It is some consolation to know that Whittier himself, in reading over these ravings, has been forced to acknowledge their unworthiness by a lame attempt at apology. “He is no enemy of Catholics,” he informs us in a note to this effusion; “but the severity of his language finds its ample apology in the reluctant confession of one of the most eminent Romish priests, the eloquent and devoted Father Ventura.” What is this but making calumny an ally of outrage?
In the “Dream of Pio Nono” he introduces St. Peter, who upbraids the venerable Pontiff in the following style:
“Hearest thou the angels sing
Above this open hell? Thou God’s high-priest!
Thou the vicegerent of the Prince of Peace!