Laurence another Deacon of Choice fame Of Romes blesst Church the third day after came Unto his Martyrdom Whose Case runs thus. The greedy Tyrant being very flush With hopes to get the Churches Treasure all Doth Deacon Laurence now charge, whom they call, To shew him where the Churches Treasure were Who therefore causd great number to appeare Of Christian Poore ore whom with arms displayd These are the Churches treasures then he said. These Treasures are indeed, in them the Faith Of Christ doth reign: in them Christ mansion hath. Oh now what tongue is able to express The Tyrants fury, and enragedness. He stampt, star'd, Rampt, and far'd as lost his Wit. His Eyes did glow, Mouth foam, Teeth gnasht and bit. And like a Lyon out doth breake thus roar What! hath this Villain mockt the Emperour. Away with him! Away with him! Him Whip With Scourges, Scurge with rods, and buffit flip With fist, him brain with bats. What, doth he slur? What joke, and jybe upon the Emperour? Pinch him with firy tongs and gird him up With burning plates. Strong Chains upon him put. The firy Forkes, and Gridiron bed out bring, Make it red hot, this Rebell on there fling. Him Rost, him broyle, him toss, him turn again Oh ye Tormentors on your sorest pain. They whirle him on't, but oh God made this Bed Like to a Down bed, where he's nourished And broyling long on this red firy Grate Presst with red forks was patient, and thus spake, This side is rost, turn't up, thou Tyrant great. Try whether rost or raw is better meat. And in this wise he did to Christ ascend And by a glorious martyredom did end. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MILLION YOUNG WORKMEN, 1915 by CARL SANDBURG THE WINDING BANKS OF ERNE; OR, THE EMIGRANT'S ADIEU TO HIS BIRTHPLACE by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 19. TO AN ATHLETE DYING YOUNG by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN PET'S PUNISHMENT by JOSEPH ASHBY-STERRY |