Blustering god, Stamping across the sky With loud swagger, I fear you not. No, though from your highest heaven You plunge your spear at my heart, I fear you not. No, not if the blow Is as the lightning blasting a tree, I fear you not, puffing braggart. II If thou can see into my heart That I fear thee not, Thou wilt see why I fear thee not, And why it is right. So threaten not, thou, with thy bloody spears, Else thy sublime ears shall hear curses. III Withal, there is one whom I fear; I fear to see grief upon that face. Perchance, Friend, he is not your god; If so, spit upon him. By it you will do no profanity. But I-- Ah, sooner would I die Than see tears in those eyes of my soul. LIV "It was wrong to do this," said the angel. "You should live like a flower, "Holding malice like a puppy, "Waging war like a lambkin." "Not so," quoth the man Who had no fear of spirits; "It is only wrong for angels "Who can live like the flowers, "Holding malice like the puppies, "Waging war like the lambkins." LV A man toiled on a burning road, Never resting. Once he saw a fat, stupid ass Grinning at him from a green place. The man cried out in rage, "Ah! Do not deride me, fool! "I know you-- "All day stuffing your belly, "Burying your heart "In grass and tender sprouts: "It will not suffice you." But the ass only grinned at him from the green place. LVI A man feared that he might find an assassin; Another that he might find a victim. One was more wise than the other. LVII With eye and with gesture You say you are holy. I say you lie; For I did see you Draw away your coats From the sin upon the hands Of a little child. Liar! LVIII The sage lectured brilliantly. Before him, two images: "Now this one is a devil, "And this one is me." He turned away. Then a cunning pupil Changed the positions. Turned the sage again: "Now this one is a devil, "And this one is me." The pupils sat, all grinning, And rejoiced in the game. But the sage was a sage. LIX Walking in the sky, A man in strange black garb Encountered a radiant form. Then his steps were eager; Bowed he devoutly. "My Lord," said he. But the spirit knew him not. LX