With trembling heart the bigot monarch hears,
Whose govern'd mind teem'd with religious fears;
In him the slave and tyrant were combin'd,
Impotent, cruel, and with priestcraft blind;
Through his own veins he felt unusual heat,
And, as possess'd, his nerves and pulses beat;
Fearful he sat, and dar'd not give command.
When ROBERT rose, to stretch a saving hand
O'er the vile priest, and bade him not to fear,
"Truth's sacred rays," he cried, "shall falsehood clear;"
Then urg'd with zeal the sorc'ress should be tried,
And the just ordeal on her crimes decide.