Classic Poem

A christian sailor beat a Jew;
And, while he pommelled him, he cried:
“I'll pound your body black and blue,
For our dear Lord you crucified!”

But, when the Jew recovered breath,
Said he, “My friend, do you not know
That Jesus Christ was put to death
Some eighteen hundred years ago?”

The Christian dealt another blow,
And answered with a wrathful shriek,
“I care not how long 'twas ago:
I only heard of it last week!”

In this fine mirror is displayed
The Christian charity of ages;
For such a picture is portrayed
Too oft on history's bloody pages.