Classic Poem

A FACTIOUS rogue, traducer of the State,
Sent to a rebel's death: a noisy tongue
Silenced, a slave condemned, a felon hung —
O princes of the earth, securely great,
High in the place of power, can this abate
The splendour of your mailed majesty?
A felon on the gallows, what is he
To move your lofty souls to fear or hate?

O Caesar, Lord of Lords and King of Kings,
Throned in the palace by the silver sea,
Far have thy conquering eagles spread their wings,
A hundred noble nations own thy sway;
Behold, its doom is spoken from to-day;
The dead man on the cross has conquered thee.