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“One god is like another god—
It matters not at all—
As long as he keeps peasants
In reverence and thrall.
“They ridicule our sermons
As were they asses’ bray,
And they have now to no one
For Vladimir to pray.
“They need some god to make them
Quail with his thunder’s roar—
We cannot work without one,
You must some god restore!”
This argument affected
His Excellency strange;
It caused his disposition
To take a sudden change.
And, like all mighty sovereigns
He had a tender heart—
Compassion would not let him
Tear e’en a chick apart.
“Depart with royal grace, friends,
So pious and so leal.
We shall, with proper caution,
Consider your appeal.”
[50]
