By Their Fruits

 

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall

 know them.  

      —Matthew 7:20

 

 

I have my trident to pierce the savage heart!

     

      And I, love’s triumph to soothe the savaged part.

 

I wield the threat of eternal strife!

 

      I yield the promise of eternal life.

 

In my hottest hellfires, fat sinners, I’ll render!

 

      Forgiveness requires but that sinners surrender.

 

Fie! The Hounds of Hell shall set their ears ringing!

                 

      Drowned by the voices of Heaven’s choir singing.

 

My tail shall whiplash the sinners bone deep!

                 

      My tale of each gash shall make sinners weep.

 

I’ll give them Hell’s stings and the shackles of night!

                 

      All shall have wings and the freedom of flight.

 

My horns shall painfully  pierce sinners’ skins!

                 

      My thorns shall mercifully touch on their sins.

 

My fires are all of the third degree!

                 

      My passion burns with but one decree.

 

My hatred shall make damnéd souls burn in Hell!

                 

      My love shall make them burn brightly as well.

 

A ring of hot coals shall encircle  the dead!

                 

      A soft-ringing halo shall girdle each head.

 

It is worse than a Death to talk thus with thee!

                 

      Then live, my son, and walk thus with me.

 

Must you sully with Love everything that I say?

                 

      My child, I know of no other way.