Unchristian Jacobin whoever, If of thy God thou cherish ever One wavering thought; if e'er His Word Has from one crime thy soul deterred: Know this, Thou think'st amiss; And to think true, Thou must renounce Him all, and think anew. If startled at the guillotine Trembling thou touch the dread machine; If, leading sainted Louis to it, Thy steps drew back, thy heart did rue it: Know this, Thou think'st amiss; And to think true, Must rise 'bove weak remorse, and think anew. If, callous, thou dost not mistake, And murder for mild mercy's sake; And think thou followest pity's call When slaughtered thousands round thee fall: Know this, Thou think'st amiss; And to think true, Must conquer prejudice, and think anew. If when good men are to be slain, Thou hear'st them plead, nor plead in vain, Or, when thou answerest, if it be With one jot of humanity: Know this, Thou think'st amiss; And to think true, Must pardon leave to fools, and think anew. If when all kings, priests, nobles hated, Lie headless, thy revenge is sated, Nor thirsts to load the reeking block With heads from thine own murderous flock Know this, Thou think'st amiss; And to think true, Thou must go on in blood, and think anew. If, thus, by love of executions, Thou prov'st thee fit for revolutions; Yet one achieved, to that art true, Nor would'st begin to change anew: Know this, Thou think'st amiss; Deem, to think true, All constitutions bad but those bran new. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RHENISH AUTUMN; TO TOUSSAINT LUCA by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE THE FEAST OF THE DEAD by CHARLOTTE BECKER THE CORDWRIGHT'S SONG by AUGUSTE DE BELLOY THE LAST MAN by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE HILL CIRCLE by FRANCES HALLEY BROCKETT FAIRY RING by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN LOVE by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY |