Home » Poems » Art Wielgus » Robert Southwell

Robert Southwell

Shakespeare’s contemporary,
saint martyr and poet –
clandestine missionary,
arrested and imprisoned,

tortured and hanged.
He gave his life 
in anguish and agony
for what was his life’s

love and whole heart.
“My country, my people,
when are you going to reverse
the faults done?”

Treason was not committed by me.
I was only the priest.
Treason has been committed by those 
who have abandoned sacraments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-s52fGWtuI

spiritualverse

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Precious Ann Alviola

October 9, 2017 at 11:51 PM

Hi Art it's me again. I just want to know your interpretation of this poem. So that I can include it to our discussion. And want to say thank you for responding to my comment. It is such a great help. Thank you so much.

Art Wielgus

October 10, 2017 at 9:13 AM

Robert Southwell was a Roman Catholic priest. England was Roman Catholic for 10 centuries, then its king Henry the VIII, who wrote the book “Defence of the Seven Sacraments”, broke relations with the pope, outlawed the Roman Catholic Church in England, made himself the head of Anglican Church and started to persecute mainly Roman Catholic Priests accusing them of treason because they were faithful to the Church established by Jesus Christ.

Precious Ann Alviola

September 3, 2017 at 9:46 PM

Hi Art. I am a student from the Philippines and we will be discussing your poem Robert Southwell for our literature class. I hope you can post some of your biography, background about poetry/ literature. And your inspiration why did you write this poem ( robert southwell) It will be part of our dicussion. I hope you can respond to my request it will be a great help for me. Thank you.

Art Wielgus

September 4, 2017 at 2:38 PM

Poem titled Robert Southwell is a part of the collection of poems called English Martyrs, that was my inspiration to write about English people, who were persecuted only because they were Roman Catholics. England was Roman Catholic country for 10 centuries. I after High School studied theology in monastery in Krakow for 2 years. So I try to be the apostle of Christ. I personally met pope John Paul II in Castel Gandolfo in August 1984. More about me, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-s52fGWtuI Thank you, A. W.

Precious Ann Alviola

September 4, 2017 at 4:41 AM

Robert Southwell

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