 | Songs of Doubt and Dream (Poems) |  |
133
A DIALOGUE.
BELIEVER.This man of reason, whom you deem so great,
Who puts out Hell and bars up Heaven's fair gate,
Who flings all creeds terrestrial to one maw,
Huge as the Aztec battle-god's, called Law,—
Who makes the universe, to suit his wish,
As eyeless as a subterranean fish,—
Last night this valiant doubter, in his pride,
Shrieked for Jehovah's pardon ere he died.
INFIDEL.
With ease the partisan may falsely view
Delirium's rant; yet if indeed 'twere true
That some wild fear did seize him at the last,
What matters? Hardiest oaks are bowed by blast.
The warrior minds of men drink strength for strife
Not from death's opiate, but the elixir, life.
His life being great, who cares if near its close
He druled what imbecilities death chose?
| Songs of Doubt and Dream (Poems) | |