If not, O monarch, know we choose to die,
Thy gods alike and threat’nings we defy.
No power on earth our faith has e’er controll’d,
We scorn to worship idols, though of gold.’
Resistless truth damp’d all the audience round,
The base informer sicken’d at the sound;
Attentive courtiers conscious stood amazed,
And soldiers silent trembled as they gazed.
No smallest murmur of distaste arose,
Abash’d and vanquish’d seem’d the Church’s foes.