Our prince was kind and virtuous, wise and just,
A man God-fearing, and in God’s full trust.
A victim put to death by such a friend,
Is slain in error, or for some wise end.215
Did not our God mean mercy in His wrath,
How could the Lord of Mercies thunder forth?
A child may tremble at the lancet’s smart;
His mother knows there’s healing in the dart.
It may half kill him, but restores sound life;
So God’s great mercies far surpass our strife.