once on a charger there was laid

and brought before a royal maid,

as price of attitude and grace,

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,

who in the wilderness alone

abiding, did for clothing wear

a garment made of camel’s hair;

honey and locusts were his food

and he was most severely good.

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he preached penitence and tears

and waking first the sinner’s fears,

prepared a path, made smooth a way

for his diviner master’s day.

herod kept in princely state

his birthday. on his throne he sate,

after the feast, beholding her

who danced with grace peculiar;

fair salome, who did excel

all in that land for dancing well.

the feastful monarch’s heart was fired,

and whatsoe’er thing she desired,

though half his kingdom it should be,

he in his pleasure swore that he

would give the graceful salome.

the damsel was herodias’ daughter:

she to the queen hastes, and besought her

to teach her what great gift to name.

instructed by herodias, came

the damsel back; to herod said,

“give me john the baptist’s head;

and in a charger let it be

hither straightway brought to me.”

herod her suit would fain deny,

but for his oath’s sake must comply.

when painters would by art express

beauty in unloveliness,

thee, herodias’ daughter, thee,

they fittest subject take to be.

they give thy form and features grace;

but ever in thy beauteous face

they show a steadfast cruel gaze,

an eye unpitying; and amaze

in all beholders deep they mark,

that thou betrayest not one spark

of feeling for the ruthless deed,

that did thy praiseful dance succeed.

for on the head they make you look

as if a sullen joy you took,

a cruel triumph, wicked pride,

that for your sport a saint had died.