Part 19 (2/2)

Ye vile offscourings! with unblus.h.i.+ng face Dare ye claim sons.h.i.+p to our heavenly Sire, Who serve brute vices, crouching in the mire To hounds and conies, beasts that ape our race?

Such truckling is called virtue by the base Hucksters of sophistry, the priest and friar,-- Gilt claws of tyrant brutes,--who lie for hire, Preaching that G.o.d delights in this disgrace.

Look well, ye brainless folk! Do fathers hold Their children slaves to serfs? Do sheep obey The witless ram? Why make a beast your king?

If there are no archangels, let your fold Be governed by the sense of all: why stray From men to wors.h.i.+p every filthy thing?

x.x.xVIII.

_ON THE LORD'S PRAYER._

No. 2.

_Dov' e la liberta._

Where are the freedom and high feats that spring From fatherhood so fair as Deity?

Fleas are no sons of men, although they be Flesh-born: brave thoughts and deeds this honour bring.

If princes great or small seek anything Adverse to good and G.o.d's authority, Which of you dares refuse? Nay, who is he That doth not cringe to do their pleasuring?

So then with soul and blood in verity You serve base gold, vices, and worthless men-- G.o.d with lip-service only and with lies, Sunk in the slough of dire idolatry: If Ignorance begat these errors, then To Reason turn for sons.h.i.+p and be wise!

x.x.xIX.

_ON THE LORD'S PRAYER._

No. 3.

_Allor potrete orar._

Then shall ye pray with every hour that flies; Thy kingdom come, and let Thy will be done On earth as in the spheres above the sun, When all we hoped and wished shall bless our eyes.

Poets shall see their Age of Gold arise, Fairer than feigned in hymn or orison; Yea, all the realm by Adam's sin undone Shall be restored in sinless Paradise.

Philosophers shall govern for their own That perfect commonwealth whereof they write, The which on earth as yet was never known.

Judah to Sion shall return with might Of greater wonders than shook Pharaoh's throne, From Babylon, to bless the prophets' sight.

XL.

_A PROPHECY OF JUDGMENT._

No. 1.

_THE REIGN OF ANTICHRIST._

_Mentre l'acquila invola._

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