Herod, the king, his birthday kept,
And festive supper spread,
For lords, high captains and chief men,
Of Galilee the head.
And with the flowing of rich wines,
And strains of music sweet,
The daughter of Herodias danced
On light and airy feet;
Which dancing so much pleased the king
He promised, with an oath,
That whatsoever she would ask
He'd give her--nothing loth.
The daughter of her mother asked :
"What gift shall I desire?"
The wicked woman answered her :
"John Baptist's head require."
Straightway the brazen damsel came,
And, with petition bold,
Demanded John the Baptist's head,
Just as she had been told.
Although the king was sorely grieved,
He would not break his word,
In honor of the company
By whom the oath was heard.
Now, soon as John's disciples knew
Of his most cruel doom,
They took his body, tenderly,
And laid it in a tomb;
And to the Master straightly told
What had befallen John--
The deed which at the king's command
His servile guard had done.
But fear's dread torment soon drew near,
When Herod heard the news
Of the wonder working Jesus,
Now preaching to the Jews.
And he, with pale and trembling lips,
Unto his servants said :
"This is the Baptist whom I slew,
Arisen from the dead.
"Therefore do wondrous works in him
Show forth themselves, to prove
That he is mighty prophet was,
Appointed from above."
