The Sword of Song

ASCENSION DAY 7 Panel* in libel I bewail me! (Funny how English seems to fail me!) So, as a surgeon to a man, sir, Let me excise your Christian cancer Impersonally, without vanity, Just in pure love of poor humanity ! Here’s just the chance you’d have ! Behold The warm sun tint with early gold Yon spire : to-day’s event provide My text of wrath—Ascension-tide ! Oh ! ’tis a worthy day to wrest Hate’s diadem from Jesus’ Crest ! Ascends he ? ’Tis the very test By which we men may fairly judge, From the rough roads we mortals trudge Or God’s paths paved with heliotrope, The morals of the crucified. (Both standpoints joined in one, I hope, In metaphysic’s stereoscope !) But for the moment be denied A metaphysical inspection— Bring out the antiseptic soap !— We’ll judge the Christ by simple section, And strictly on the moral side. But first ; I must insist on taking The ordinary substantial creed Your clergy preach from desk and pulpit Each Sunday ; all the Bible, shaking Its boards with laughter as you read Each Sunday. Ibsen43 to a full pit May play in the moon. If (lunars they) They thought themselves to be the play, It’s little the applause he’d get. I met a Christian clergyman,‡ The nicest man I ever met. We argued of the Cosmic plan. I was Lord Roberts, he De Wet.44 * Scots legal term for defendant. † A Romany word for woman. ‡ The Rev. J. Bowley. The conversation described actually occurred in Mr. Gerald Kelly’s studio in Paris. 185 190 195 200 205 210 215 Ascension Day. Moral aspect of Christianity to be discussed to prejudice of the metaphysical. Orthodoxy to be our doxy.† Gipsies barred. Henrik Ibsen and H. G. Wells. Parson and poet. Fugitive nature of dogma in these latter days. The Higher Criticism.