The Black Riders & Other Lines/Blustering God

i

Blustering God,

Stamping across the sky

With loud swagger,

I fear You not.

No, though from Your highest heaven

You plunge Your spear at my heart,

I fear You not.

No, not if the blow

Is as the lightning blasting a tree,

I fear You not, puffing braggart.

ii

If Thou canst see into my heart

That I fear Thee not,

Thou wilt see why I fear Thee not,

And why it is right.

So threaten not, Thou, with Thy bloody spears,

Else Thy sublime ears shall hear curses.

iii

Withal, there is One whom I fear:

I fear to see grief upon that face.

Perchance, friend, He is not your God;

If so, spit upon Him.

By it you will do no profanity.

But I --

Ah, sooner would I die

Than see tears in those eyes of my soul.