# CXIII: Apostacy explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on France's past faithfulness and piety, contrasting it with its present state of apostasy. He dares not dwell on the current corruption for fear of spiritual harm, choosing instead to silently denounce it.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Doubt

The speaker contrasts France's former faith with its current apostasy, expressing doubt about its present state.

### Sin and Redemption

The speaker fears being tainted by the sin of apostasy and chooses silence to avoid fascination with evil.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who reflects on France's past and present spiritual state.

### John

Referenced as 'blessèd John' whose sons sanctified the French coast.

## Key lines

> France! I will think of thee as what thou wast, When Poictiers show’d her zeal for the true creed; Or in that age, when Holy Truth, though cast On a rank soil, yet was a thriving seed, Thy schools within, from neighbouring countries chased; E’en of thy pagan day I bear to read, Thy Martyrs sanctified the guilty host, The sons of blessèd John, rear’d on a western coast.

I choose to remember France as it once was—faithful at Poitiers, a refuge for truth and learning, and even in pagan times blessed with martyrs.

_The speaker deliberately recalls France's virtuous past rather than its present corruption._

> I dare not think of thee as what thou art, Lest thoughts too deep for man should trouble me. It is not safe to place the mind and heart On brink of evil, or its flames to see, Lest they should dizzy, or some taint impart, Or to our sin a fascination be.

I am afraid to contemplate France's current state, for such thoughts could disturb my soul and lead me into sin.

_The speaker fears the spiritual danger of dwelling on evil._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxiii-apostacy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters