The Unpardonable Sin (Chesterton)

by Gilbert Keith Chesterton

For works with similar titles, see The Unpardonable Sin.

I do not cry, beloved, neither curse.
     Silence and strength, these two at least are good.
     He gave me sun and stars and aught He could,
But not a woman's love; for that is hers.

He sealed her heart from sage and questioner --
     Yea, with seven seals, as he has sealed the grave.
     And if she give it to a drunken slave,
The Day of Judgment shall not challenge her.

Only this much: if one, deserving well,
     Touching your thin young hands and making suit,
     Feel not himself a crawling thing, a brute,
Buried and bricked in a forgotten hell;

Prophet and poet be he over sod,
     Prince among angels in the highest place,
     God help me, I will smite him on the face,
Before the glory of the face of God.