Antipas the son of Great He ruled a quarter kingdom He had his brother Philip's wife For there was lust between them

A brave man told him he did err And his wife burned with anger She sought her man to bind him there And his life was in danger

But though he would have killed the man He could not for he feared them That counted him a prophet voice And so they did defend him

Herod dined now with his lords And chief men of the region The captains came to celebrate That he had passed a season

Like fleshly men are want to do They craved for worldly pleasure To entertain them while they ate And conscience knew no measure

For his wife sent into the room Her child to dance her beauty It pleased him so he promised much As though it was his duty

But he'd regret the day he swore He'd give her half his kingdom For his wife had a different plan She meant to hatch between them

With haste the girl brought to the room The words of her advisor Give me here now on a plate The head of John the Baptizer

So with regret he made the choice To prove his guests his power With pain he sent the coward word To take his life that hour.