equally as powertul—the influences ol nature and of his religion.
A man of tradition was Ronsard, and his Catholicism wa.s something he never lost sight of as an integral piece of the tradition that he felt himself a part. And in verbal as well as actual duelling with the Calvinists of his time he showed himself an ardent defendant of his Faith. Through whatever mazes his life led him he retained two things— his temper and his religious belief.
MR. Wyndham Lewis relates most " beautifully Ronsard'e death which illustiates the poet's rooted Faith: the poet is asked, " Sir, in what resolution do you die ? ' "
"' The old fire must flash a moment in those sunken eyes as Ronsard answers, with a touch of anger:
" ' In whits do you think In the religion which was toy father's, and his father's fathers' before him. Have run siL ideally made known how I wish to die ?.
" ' I have sinned like other men, and perhaps snore titan most. My senses have charmed and led tne astray, and I have not repressed or restrained them as I should, But none the less I have always held to that Faith which the nten
14 my line have left me, I htsve always embraced the Creed and the unity of the Catholic Church. In a word, I laid a sure foundation though I have built on it with wood, and hay, and straw. That foundation. 1 ant certain, will stand; as for the light and worthles's things I have built upon it. I trust in the mercy of iny Redeemer that the), will be all burned away in the fire of His Love. . . I beg you all now firmly to believe as I have believed but not
to live as I have . "
I Art