The Rebel
A raging Angel in an eagle's flight
Swoops, grabs the sinner's hair in fisted hand
And shakes him, saying 'You know what is right!
(You hear your Angel?) This is my command!
I order you to love without a sneer
The mad, the wretched, those in poverty,
To make for Jesus, when he passes here,
A regal carpet, of your charity.
That is real Love! So that you do not turn
Numb to God's glory, let your rapture bum,
And know true pleasure in the sensual way!'
Good God! the Angel, who corrects and loves,'
Twists in his fist the sinner from above;
Answers the damned soul, 'I will not obey!'
Přeložil James McGowan