O flattery, imposture, battle show...

O flattery, imposture, battle show,

What banners have you woven from the parted raiment,

What crimes from Calvary, what endless flow

Of blood from blood, revenge, exacted payment!

How have you turned the simple truth to lies

Made capital from creeds and missed their beauty,

Exalted vainly with self-pitying sighs

The wrongs enacted in the name of duty.

And ever quoting God for your excuse,

Bribing divinity to cloak your shame,

You train the spirit for material use,

You sacrifice men's hearts to feed your flame.

When shall the world be rid of these bald priests,

Pig-snouted with their gilded wolfish ears,

The scarlet cardinals of drunken feasts

Whose hands are washed in blood, whose feet in tears?