CHRISTIAN, come forth! the hungering lions crave Thy flesh; impatient waits assembled Rome, Athirst to drink the blood of martyrdom; Christian, come forth! and death unshrinking brave; Whether, within the walls of that vast grave, Torn limb from limb, or in the narrower tomb, Thy flesh foul worms and creeping things consume, A God thou hast omnipotent to save. Watch we and pray, lest us like foes o'erpower, Such, though unseen do not the less exist; Here stand we not in jeopardy each hour? That roaring lion, wheresoe'er he list, He walketh, seeking whom he may devour; Him may we, steadfast in the faith, resist! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE DEATH OF SWINBURNE by SARA TEASDALE COLLOQUE SENTIMENTAL by PAUL VERLAINE THESMOPHORIAZUSAE: WOMEN'S CHORUS by ARISTOPHANES THE MEDAL; A SATIRE AGAINST SEDITION by JOHN DRYDEN TO THE RIGHT HON! WILLIAM EARL OF DARTMOUTH by PHILLIS WHEATLEY THE GRAVE OF SHELLEY by OSCAR WILDE |