  I. He who offends the public will And thus excites the populace With a vindictive wish to kill And sink his name in deep disgrace, Is hung or burned in effigy; But none would think of worshiping The instrument of cruelty That should a friend's sad exit bring; Yet when the Christ was crucified, By order of the crazy throng, The bloody cross on which he died— The tool of deep and ghastly wrong— Derisively was raised on high, By the decree of hell's dark prince, And human souls, not thinking why, Hell's sign have worshiped ever since! Could more complete subversion be Of reason, taste and decency? II. Through all the past historic days, Tyrants have gloried in the crown; By which men have been trampled down. That royalty may thrive and tax The toilers for its vain support; Cities and towns it often sacks, And of men's birthrights makes a sport; Yet men submit to the command Of him who wears a crown, and join Oppression's hosts, on sea and land, As loyal subjects, or for coin; And so delusive is the glare Of crowns to the deluded slave That he lifts up an earnest prayer To wear a crown beyond the grave, And in imagination reigns O'er souls submissive to his chains! |
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