Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/109

So they with lifted hands, and eyes devout,
Said grace, and carved a slaughtered monarch out.
When the first traitor Cain (too good to be
Thought patron of this black fraternity)
His bloody tragedy of old designed,
One death alone quenched his revengeful mind,
Content with but a quarter of mankind:
Had he been Jesuit, and but put on
Their savage cruelty, the rest had gone;
His hand had sent old Adam after too,
And forced the godhead to create anew.
And yet 'twere well, were their foul guilt but thought
Bare sin: 'tis something even to own a fault.
But here the boldest flights of wickedness
Are stamped religion, and for current pass.
The blackest, ugliest, horridest, damnedst deed,
For which hell-flames, the schools a title need,
If done for holy church is sanctified.
This consecrates the blessèd work and tool,
Nor must we ever after think 'em foul.
To undo realms, kill parents, murder kings,
Are thus but petty trifles, venial things,
Not worth a confessor; nay, heaven shall be
Itself invoked to abet the impiety.
’Grant, gracious Lord,' some reverend villain prays,
’That this the bold assertor of our cause
May with success accomplish that great end,
For which he was by thee and us designed.
Thou to his arm and sword thy strength impart,
And guide 'em steady to the tyrant's heart;
Grant him for every meritorious thrust
Degrees of bliss above, among the just;
Where holy Garnet, and St. Guy are placed,
Whom works, like this, before have thither raised;
Where they are interceding for us now—
For sure they're there.' Yes, questionless; and so
Good Nero is, and Dioclesian too,