The Twelve William Walton

I
Without arms or charm of culture
Persons of no importance
From an unimportant Province
They did as the Spirit bid
Went forth into a joyless world
Of swords and rhetoric
To bring it joy

When they heard the Word, some demurred
Some mocked, some were shocked:
But many were stirred and Word spread
Lives long dead were quickened to life;
The sick were healed by the Truth revealed;
Released into peace from the gin of old sin
Men forgot themselves in the glory of the story
Told by the Twelve

Then the Dark Lord, adored by this world
Perceived the threat of the Light to his might
From his throne he spoke to his own
The loud crowd, the sedate engines of State
Were moved by his will to kill it
It was done. One by one
They were caught, tortured, and slain