Acts 23:2: The high priest Ananias commanded them, &c

The persecuted man
Vho pleads his innocence,
And boldly dares his plea maintain,
Commits a fresh offence;
Smote by the slanderous tongue
Unless he silent stand,
The world inflict a further wrong,
And smite him with the hand.

T is thus our baffled foes
To lawless violence fly,
And smite and stop the mouth of those
Who contradict their lie;
Unable to gainsay
The words of righteousness,
They answer us a shorter way,
And truth by blows suppress.