PARADISE - Alasdair Gray

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was Caesar number three. 58

      Under his reign the Eagle did one thing

      upon a hill outside Jerusalem

      that makes all other splendid Roman deeds 61

      look small and dim when viewed by Christian eyes.

      Here God’s wrath made the Eagle work for Him –

      helped God Himself revenge Himself on God. 64

      Later, when Titus reigned, Heaven ensured

      vengeance on that revenge for ancient sin.

      The Roman legions slew Hebrew hordes, 67

      looted and burned Solomon’s synagogue,

      made a whole ruin of Jerusalem.

      Look forward now. When Whiggish Lombard crows 70

      tried to peck out Pope Leo’s tongue, he found

      protection in Emperor Charlemagne.

      Rome’s bishop and Imperial Eagle then 73

      were allies though apart, as they should be.

      Look at the state of politics today!

      76 Now ancient symbols of the common good

      achieved by men whose fame is like my own

      are used on flag and badge to foster hate

      79 by greedy statesmen with short local aims.

      The Roman Eagle and the Fleur de Lys

      are trampled by a squabbling multitude.

      82 We in this little star strove to do well,

      but also strove for fame, so rose less far

      than those whose virtues lacked all selfishness.

      85 This we cannot regret, happy to know

      good choirs all sound the more melodious

      where diverse voices sing both high and low.

      88 In this pearl also shines the light of one

      not quite as grand as mighty emperors.

      He worked as hard for goodness as did we

      91 but won no great reward. His birth was low

      and name was Romeo, and he became

      an honest steward of Count Berenger –

      94 served him so well, four daughters of the Count

      got such rich dowries that they married kings.

      Envy declared he filled his pockets too,

      97 which was untrue. Dismissed, he had to beg.

      Though he is famous, those who honour him

      would do it much more if they understood,

      100 how sore it is to beg your livelihood.”

      7: Beatrice Explains

      “To Heaven’s greatest height now praise our God 1

      who gloriously brightens with His rays

      good hearth-fires everywhere on holy days!”

      So sang that bright soul, dancing as he sang, 4

      that ruler who had striven to connect

      justice on earth and Heaven’s government.

      In happy play the other shining souls 7

      danced with him too, until like shooting stars

      they disappeared by being far away

      and left me brooding in perplexity. 10

      I well knew Beatrice could quell my doubts

      so Tell her! Tell her! sounded in my head,

      but reverence had overcome my tongue. 13

      Parts of her name (be, is) still strike me dumb.

      She did not leave me thus, for with a smile

      that would have cheered a burning man she said, 16

      “You do not see why justice should demand

      vengeance upon revenge for ancient sin?

      Listen and hear true doctrine straight from me. 19

      Adam, the only man not born but made,

      was given all good things men can enjoy

      22 but could not bear one curb upon his will

      so damned himself and we who spring from him.

      Long ages passed before the Word of God

      25 descending worked to free us from this ill.

      By one act of amazing love God took

      body with we who have rejected Him,

      28 became a sinner too, deserving death

      like me and you, and in Gethsemane

      sadly embraced that foul necessity,

      31 accepting Roman law so none can say

      our Maker never felt our suffering.

      If human need for death is understood

      34 indeed Christ’s death was good. If we respect

      His righteousness, nothing was more unjust.

      From that great act came opposite effects –

      37 Christ’s death desired by God and Jewish priests,

      for which earth quaked and Heaven opened wide,

      and Solomon’s great temple was destroyed.

      40 I fear your thoughts are fankled in a knot

      you can’t untie. Although my words are clear,

      why God redeemed us thus is dark to you.

      43 Brother, it is dark to everyone

      with minds unripened by the sun of love.

      I’ll say it all again in other words.

      46 God’s excellence is never envious,

      so all the souls He makes possess like Him

      eternal life; like Him, freedom of choice.

      These gifts are lost by people choosing sin. 49

      Adam and Eve disobeyed God; believed

      rejecting God would make them equal Him,

      thus they exchanged eternity for time. 52

      Justice cannot ignore so bad a crime

      which all folk born of women re-enact,

      so gaps between ourselves and Paradise 55

      are far too big for penitence to fill

      by any single act of human will

      though penitence is certainly required. 58

      Only a miracle could reconcile

      justice with mercy, and at last it came.

      God’s overflowing goodness made His Word 61

      human, like us; offered new birth, new life,

      eternally to all who follow Christ

      and grasp their cross – forgive who do them wrong – 64

      love enemies and promise not to sin.

      What better thing to save us could God do

      than show all people how we ought to live? 67

      I

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