Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/385

 The Image in the Forum

(English novelist and dramatist, 1814-1901)

Not Baal, but Christus-Jingo! Heir Of him who once was crucified! The red stigmata still are there, The crimson spear-wounds in the side; But raised aloft as God and Lord, He holds the Money-bag and Sword.

See, underneath the Crown of Thorn, The eye-balls fierce, the features grim! And merrily from night to morn We chaunt his praise and worship him Great Christus-Jingo, at whose feet Christian and Jew and Atheist meet!

A wondrous god! most fit for those Who cheat on 'Change, then creep to prayer; Blood on his heavenly altar flows, Hell's burning incense fills the air, And Death attests in street and lane The hideous glory of his reign.

O gentle Jew, from age to age Walking the waves thou could'st not tame, This god hath ta'en thy heritage, And stolen thy sweet and stainless Name! To him we crawl and bend the knee, Naming thy Name, but scorning Thee!