I have heard of his works and rejoice. But why does he feast
When I fasted myself? And how have the rumors increased
That he fellows with publicans, sinners and drinkers of wine,
A bibber himself, when the springs of the desert were mine?
And how is the ax, as I said, laid close to the root of the tree,
And my curses fulfilled of the Pharisees, if this must be?
And if, as they say, he is preaching the word that we make
Of the unrighteous mammon a friend for the day when we break
With the lords of the riches of truth, as he put it, for then
The unrighteous mammon shall take us, console us again:—
I have wasted the goods of my lord! I am caught and accused!
Shall I make good the theft from my lord in a trust I abused?
Why, no! I go out to the debtors, my master to foil,
How much do you owe him? Why, so many measures of oil!
Sit down then, I say, make the bill but a half, quickly write:—
I am wiser in this, so he says, than the children of light—
As I make for myself by the trick of a thief, and a theft,
The confederates’ home for my own for my honor bereft.
Go! learn if he said this. Return ere the rise of the sun:—
Shall we look for another to save us, or is he the one?”