Classic Poem

For Moses took the hated calf and burned it,
And mixed therewith foul water till it stank,
And though the tribes in loathing from it shrank,
Begging for grace, and irritated spurned it,
The law was law, and stricken Israel drank.

Then through the camp each man in bloody labor
Did slay his brother, and each brother slew
His boon companion, smiting through and through,
And each companion smote his cherished neighbor,
As it was fit, and as God bade them do!

And I, avenged by blood, in exultation
Stood near to Moses, witness of this shame
And righteous torture by the sword and flame
That fell upon this God-afflicted nation;
I saw it all, and found no word of blame.

Now in my tent, alone, but calm and cheerless,
Like some weak tigress that has lost its mate,
Brooding in tranquil ways upon my fate,
Most satisfied at heart, and very fearless,
The wrath of sullen Aaron I await!