The Lord, we look to once for all,
        Is the Lord we should look at, all at once: 
He knows not to vary, saith Saint Paul,
        Nor the shadow of turning, for the nonce. 
See him no other than as he is! 
        Give both the infinitudes their due—­
Infinite mercy, but, I wis,
        As infinite a justice too.

[Organ:  plagal-cadence.]

As infinite a justice too.

II

[One singeth]
John, Master of the Temple of God, 10
        Falling to sin the Unknown Sin,
What he bought of Emperor Aldabrod,
        He sold it to Sultan Saladin: 
Till, caught by Pope Clement, a-buzzing there,
        Hornet-prince of the mad wasps’ hive,
And clipt of his wings in Paris square,
        They bring him now to be burned alive.
                        [And wanteth there grace of lute or
                                clavicithern, ye shall say to
                                confirm him who singeth—­
        We bring John now to be burned alive.

III

In the midst is a goodly gallows built;
        ’Twixt fork and fork, a stake is stuck; 20
But first they set divers tumbrils a-tilt,
        Make a trench all round with the city muck;
Inside they pile log upon log, good store;
        Faggots no few, blocks great and small,
Reach a man’s mid-thigh, no less, no more,—­
        For they mean he should roast in the sight of all.

Chorus.

        We mean he should roast in the sight of all.

IV

Good sappy bavins that kindle forthwith;
        Billets that blaze substantial and slow;
Pine-stump split deftly, dry as pith; 30
        Larch-heart that chars to a chalk-white glow: 
They up they hoist me John in a chafe,
        Sling him fast like a hog to scorch,
Spit in his face, then leap back safe,
Sing “Laudes " and bid clap-to the torch.

Chorus.

        Laus deo—­who bids clap-to the torch.

V

John of the Temple, whose fame so bragged,
        Is burning alive in Paris square! 
How can he curse, if his mouth is gagged? 
        Or wriggIe his neck, with a collar there? 40
Or heave his chest, which a band goes round? 
        Or threat with his fist, since his arms are spliced? 
Or kick with his feet, now his legs are bound? 
        —­Thinks John, I will call upon Jesus Christ.
                                [Here one crosseth himself.]

VI