"He'll let us off with fifty years!" one said.
And one, "I always knew that Bible lied!"
One who was philanthropic stood aside,
Patting his sniveling virtues on the head.
"Yes, there may be somepain," another wheezed.
"One rending touch to fit the soul for bliss."
"A bare formality!" one seemed to hiss.
And everyone was pink and fed and pleased.
Then thunder came, and with an earthquake sound
Shook those fat corpses from their flabby languor.
The sky was furious with immortal anger,
We miserable sinners hugged the ground:
Seeing through all the torment, saying, "Yes,"
God's quiet face, serenely merciless.
