BALLAD OF THE PASSION

Around God’s throne a council did convene

called to hear Satan’s plea, his protestation.

Angels flew down from celestial ranges,

Satan himself flew in, from lower station.

God’s hand rose. All were stilled, in silence waited.

“Satan, you may speak out, as plaintiff, duly!”

Then to his Lord first bowed the Dreadful Angel:

“All praise be to Thy crown, the highest, truly!

I do accuse, before this throng celestial

to bring a case against Thee, our God appointed,

that Thou hast cheated, sending mankind salvation

by way of Mary’s royal son, anointed.

Thou first gav’st me mankind, for their sin weighty,

for me to bind with grief, darkness eternal,

but then, as mankind’s fate evoked Thy pity,

Thy trespass did uproot my powers infernal!”

“I’ve given up my son, my one and only,

for him to give his life, as mankind’s saviour.

Satan, have I not paid, in full compensation?”

Satan: “No, God, ‘tis far from fair behaviour!” —

“Very well, add more pain then, further aided

by angels all, from Heaven’s far realms descended –

agonies, ere his protracted crucifixion,

transfixed by icy iron spikes, be ended!”

The Cherub spake: “Let him taste thanklessness,

from chalice overflowing to the sky,

that those, for whom his young life’s being given

are the ones yelling: “Stone him! Crucify!”

The Seraph spake: “Give him the worst of pain,

that wounds the heart with the most dreadful hurt:

that those he held the closest, of dearest worth,

are those who shall deny him, betray, desert!”

Then spake the Throne: “Let him feel most bereft,

abandoned by the holy Heavens high,

despair that even Thou hast turned away;

‘Father, Thou hast forsaken me’, let him cry!”

God beckoned: “Satan, do you hear these words!

Is that your price, for mankind’s salvation fitting?”

The Dreadful Angel outspread his shadowed wings,

calling out: “No, God! Not nearly unremitting!

There is one pain surpassing other pain,

one anguish that makes other pains seem brief —

a mother beneath the cross, for the son to see

her heartbreak, her being torn apart by grief!”