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
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