A guiltless head, a holy face.
It was on Herod’s natal day,
Who o’er Judæa’s land held sway.
He married his own brother’s wife,
Wicked Herodias. She the life
Of John the Baptist long had sought
Because he openly had taught
That she a life unlawful led
Having her husband’s brother wed.
This was he, that saintly John,