Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, METRICAL HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY: THE MARTYRDOM OF DEACON LAURENCE, by EDWARD TAYLOR


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METRICAL HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY: THE MARTYRDOM OF DEACON LAURENCE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Laurence another deacon of choice fame
Last Line: And by a glorious martyredom did end.
Subject(s): Clergy; Puritans In Literature; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops


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.





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