Page:Two Mock Epics (Hanuman and Tantum Religio), Lyrics, Post Meridian Verse, The Turret Captain's Toast and other Verses.pdf/89

 That drew the mob; for mild as were

His tones, they urged to vengeance hellish:

And Popery’s groundlings always hear

Of blood and fire with wondrous relish.

“Brothers!” he cried, and o’er his head

Raised a long, skinny hand to heaven;

“Is memory of the past so dead,

And of the patriotic leaven

That once in Sondrio’s vales was given

To raise the theologic bread;

That none recal how Aryans bled

When Val Fontana’s streams ran red,

And Teglio’s patriots, in a ferment,

Shot down the Calvinistic vermint,

Trapped in its musty pews and chapels?

Oh! glorious cunning thus to trap hell’s

Worst fiends, then through the casements slaughter

With slugs and grape-shot—and no quarter?

To see the blood rush out like water

Down the broad flight of steps, a cascade

Most dear to Heaven; to hear them ask aid

Of God and Christ, with screams and tears

And cries and groans and widows’ prayers;

Then bounce against the well-barred door

In vain attempts to force their shambles,

Then plump down thud upon the floor,

While the full tides of bubbling gore,

Replenished at each volley, pour,

Lapping the lintels, or run low

After each surging overflow.

Now, panie-struck, some lank youth scrambles

Up to a lancet window, strains