A CHOICE

Faith is the spirit that makes man's body and blood

Sacred, to crown when life and death have ceased

His heavenward head for high fame's holy feast;

But as one swordstroke swift as wizard's rod

Made Caesar carrion and made Brutus God,

Faith false or true, born patriot or born priest,

Smites into semblance or of man or beast

The soul that feeds on clean or unclean food.

Lo here the faith that lives on its own light,

Visible music; and lo there, the foul

Shape without shape, the harpy throat and howl.

Sword of the spirit of man! arise and smite,

And sheer through throat and claw and maw and tongue

Kill the beast faith that lives on its own dung.