What He Would Have Wanted

Sing mediaeval hymn and lay to rest
The bones of this our Hampshire river's guest:
A John Doe killed at some point in betwixt
Noll Cromwell and that wimp Henry the Sixt,
And slain, to judge from hasty burying,
Without assist from holy Church or King.
Such relics would be churlish to refuse
A grave, though we know not what rites he'd choose.

Nor know we of his virtues or his crimes;
But one thing's sure: he lived in godly times
When all believed, and prudent men were quick
And loud denouncing witch and heretic.
Although one shouldn't say so at his wake,
He'd likely want us all burned at the stake.

Samuel Grimsnipe