The Conversion of St. Vladimir/Canto 10
CANTO X
The Concourse
The Black Sea wind blows o’er the steppe
And makes the high grass tremble—
Ambitious candidates make haste
In Kiev to assemble
PUBLIC
AUCTION
The western wind through Kiev blows
And fills the town with dust—
Each applicant extols himself,
Puts others in distrust.
From Rome, with seals of pie-plate size,
The Pontiff’s plea was sent:
“Do not adopt the creed of Greeks—
It is not worth a cent!
“Our creed is not like other creeds,
O most illustrious Tsar—
Of all the creeds, the Roman
Is the faithfullest, by far!”
The Patriarch of Tsarograd
Now spoke to Vladimir:
“O do not let that Antichrist
Befoul your noble ear!
“Our creed is not like other creeds,
It will stand every test;
The Greek Catholic faith, of all
Religions, is the best.”
The Synedrium of Rabbis
Now pleaded: “Do not heed,
O Tsar, the Greeks or Romans—
Accept old Moses’ creed!
“Our creed is not like other creeds—
It is the best, O Sire!
The true faith is the Jewish faith
Your subjects to inspire.”
Now came of Moslem Muftis
A crying caravan:
“Chase out these unbelieving Giaurs—
Become an Ottoman!
“Our creed is not like other creeds—
Our Allah, he is great!
Faith in his prophet Mohamet
Will lead to heaven’s gate.”
Thus many more contestants
Appeared before the throne,
Like dogs behind a kitchen door
When fighting for a bone.
The devil only knew them all,
Of every creed and sect,
As they abused each other
With shameless disrespect.
Oh, how those emissaries
Could cheat, and drink and gorge!
They have, since that occurance,
Been called “The Heav’nly Scourge.”
