But didst thou not relent? our pity asks; Didst thou not shudder at that daring deed? Though voices from the flagons and the flasks Bad thee and the slain prophet's head good speed To the Queen's chamber? Herod rued his oath, And shuddered in the net his hands had drawn About himself, and wished his vow unsworn: And was the tender maiden nothing loth To lend herself to that foul deed of hate, Whose issue is the world's eternal blame? Didst thou not rather bend, in silent shame, O'er the cold lips, so eloquent of late, From which the breath of holy anger came As pure as the wild honey which he ate? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO A NIGHTINGALE by JOHN KEATS WITH A GUITAR, TO JANE by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY PREPARATORY MEDITATIONS, 1ST SERIES: 32 by EDWARD TAYLOR REFUGE by WILLIAM HERVEY ALLEN JR. THE CARPENTER by AMY BRUNER ALMY MEN OF GENIUS by MATTHEW ARNOLD |