Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/101

Rh Crushed with their head: so Waldo's cursèd rout, And those of Wickliffe here were rooted out, Their names scarce left.—Sure were the means we chose, And wrought prevailingly; fire purged the dross Of those foul heresies, and sovereign steel Lopped off the infected limbs the church to heal. Renowned was that French brave, renowned his deed, A deed for which the day deserves its red Far more than for a paltry saint that died: How goodly was the sight! how fine the show When Paris saw through all its channels flow The blood of Huguenots; when the full Seine, Swelled with the flood, its banks with joy o'erran! He scorned like common murderers to deal By parcels and piecemeal; he scorned retail In the trade of death; whole myriads died by the great, Soon as one single life; so quick their fate, Their very prayers and wishes came too late. This a king did: and great and mighty 'twas, Worthy his high degree, and power and place, And worthy our religion and our cause. Unmatched 't had been, had not Maguire arose, The bold Maguire (who read in modern fame, Can be a stranger to his worth and name?) Born to outsin a monarch, born to reign In guilt, and all competitors disdain: Dread memory! whose each mention still can make Pale heretics with trembling horror quake!