| W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895. | | | | The Slaughter of the Innocents | | From the Roman Breviary |
| | Translated by Edward Caswall
WHEN it reached the tyrant’s ear, | |
| Brooding, anxious, all alone, | |
| That the King of kings was near, | |
| Who should sit on David’s throne; | |
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| Stung with madness, straight he cries, | 5 |
| ‘Treason threatens—draw the sword! | |
| Rebels all around us rise! | |
| Drown the cradles deep in blood!’ | |
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| What is guilty Herod’s gain, | |
| Though a thousand babes he slay? | 10 |
| Christ, amid a thousand slain, | |
| Is in safety borne away. | |
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| Honour, glory, virtue, merit, | |
| Be to Thee, O Virgin’s Son! | |
| With the Father and the Spirit | 15 |
| While eternal ages run. | | | | |
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