Poems, Epigrams and Sonnets By R. E. Egerton-Warburton |
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| XVIII. | XVIII. THE CHRISTIAN MARTYR IN THE COLISEUM. |
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 | Poems, Epigrams and Sonnets |  |
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XVIII. THE CHRISTIAN MARTYR IN THE COLISEUM.
“Christianos ad Leones.”
Christian, come forth! the hungering lions craveThy flesh; impatient waits assembled Rome,
Athirst to drink the blood of martyrdom;
Christian, come forth! and death unshrinking brave;
Whether, within the walls of that vast grave,
Torn limb from limb, or in the narrower tomb,
Thy flesh foul worms and creeping things consume,
A God thou hast omnipotent to save.
Watch we and pray, lest us like foes o'erpower,
Such, though unseen do not the less exist;
Here stand we not in jeopardy each hour?
That roaring lion, wheresoe'er he list,
He walketh, seeking whom he may devour;
Him may we, steadfast in the faith, resist!
| Poems, Epigrams and Sonnets | |