Classic Poem

HYMN V. King Charles the Martyr

The persecutor was redeem'd,
And preach'd the name he had blasphem'd;
But, ah! tho' worded for the best,
How subtle men his writings wrest.

Hence heresies and sects arose
According to the saint they chose,
All against Christ alike—but all
Of some distorted text of Paul.

Had not such reas'ners been at strife
With Christ's good doctrine and his life,
The land of God's selected sheep
Had 'scap'd this day to fast and weep.

Ah great unfortunate, the chief
Of monarchs in the tale of grief,
By marriage ill-advis'd, akin
To Moab and the man of sin!

When Christ was spitted on and slain,
The temple renTher veil in twain;
And in the hour that Charles was cast
The church had well nigh groan'd its last.

But now alofTher head she bears,
Accepted in his dying pray'rs;—
Great acts in human annals shine—
Great sufferings claim applause divine.