( The Priests within the Temple )...

( The Priests within the Temple )

She was wrinkled and huge and hideous? She was our Mother.

She was lustful and lewd? — but a God; we had none other.

In the day She was hidden and dumb, but at nightfall moaned in the shade;

We shuddered and gave Her Her will in the darkness; we were afraid.

( The People without )

She sent us pain,

And we bowed before Her;

She smiled again

And bade us adore Her.

She solaced our woe

And soothed our sighing;

And what shall we do

Now God is dying?

( The Priests within )

She was hungry and ate our children; — how should we stay Her?

She took our young men and our maidens; — ours to obey Her.

We were loathed and mocked and reviled of all nations; that was our pride.

She fed us, protected us, loved us, and killed us; now She has died.

( The People without )

She was so strong;

But death is stronger.

She ruled us long;

But Time is longer.

She solaced our woe

And soothed our sighing;

And what shall we do

Now God is dying?