Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-10-18
.1goetry,
THE DYING MARTYRS.


The hour approached, the appointed hour,
When, meath the stern oppressor's power
The captive ones should suffer death,
Or curse their Maker with their breath.
The pile was ready, far around,
The heartless rabble fill d the ground,
With joyful hearts and fearless eye
To see the captive Christians die.
The scoff-the jibe-the heartless Jest
Went freely round--and midst the rest
Some cursed the captive train, but none
Felt pity for their herrid doom.
And now an armed band appears,
Their chief was one of many years.
A friend whose SOULS supreme delight
Was found in such, a bloody sight.
They reach'd the pile, and round the stake
A space with weapon point they make;
Their chief the preparation eyes,
Then sternly to the guard he cries
Bring forth the victims" land amain
They lead them out--a captive train,
An aged father and his child: :
His step was irm-his look was mild.
He for his Savior's cause had cross'd
The briny surge to teach the lost
In heather lands, and to proclaim
Throughout the world his sacred name.
His trust was placed in God above,
His name he'd long professed to love,
And now with joy he seem'd to feel
Prepar'd his love by death to seal.
But his sweet child-should she become
al If n fri
Should her fair limbs in torment be2
Should she expire in agony?
The thought was madness, and in vain
He strove to calm his spirits pain;
He felt-but who can tell or know
A parents feelings or his woe.
They now had reached the fatal place,
And met the leader, face to face;
Then sternly to the man he spoke:
us yet your naughty spirit broke?
Are you prepared to risk my IRE,
To perish in yon kindling ire2
Or rather will you turn with me,
A Moslem good and faithful be?"
He stopp' !; the father bent his head
In agony, and then he pray'd,
i
He cried, ~ ask for clemency
NY da6gnler, spare ner ycsuwnrrc,
'Tis 1, tits alone am vile,
Alone am worthy of your hate,
Alone deserve this cruel fate l'
'Father," the maiden cried, rforbear,
Oh cease to strive een now to tear
Me from my fate,-to die with thee
Is happiness, is joy to ME !'
almighty God" the father cried,
"With anguish dire my soul is tried;
Increase my strength, ms faith renew,
This dreadful hour, oh, bear me through
"And oh, blcst Savior entreat
That this dear girl with thee may meet
In realms of bliss, and may she go
With Joy through this dread scene of woe
HBe her support, her strength, her shield,
Through all her trials to her yield
Thy gracious influence underneath"
"BIND FAST THE VICTIMS ~ cried the chief.
The guards obeyed, and soon they bound
With cords the victims then around.
The fire was kindled, yet in vain
The chieftain urged them once again.
"Be WISE" he cried, "ere It's too late,
We can't prevent your horrid fate
Wealth, pomp and power if you'd attain,
Then turn and bless the prophets name"
He ceased. The captive family cried,
con Calvary's cross my Savior died;
And there upon the accursed tree
He lost his life for such as me
"Shall heartless recreant prove
To him who saved me by his love?
Shall deny my Savior's name
For all the torments you can frame?
''No, dearest Lord, my life bring,
And e'en in death thy praise I'll sing ~
But bark He ceased his feeble breath
The martyr'd Christian sleeps in death.