Truth-driven into passion (till you saw
I laughed) you – flushing – argued for extremes.
Alone, you gave me pity, never awe,
My friend. Our dinner-talk inspired my dreams.

I never thought them wrong to worship me;
Behind this wall of worship I was born.
You scandalized; they envied, loath to see
The loosely-wielded influence you scorn.

They forced me to condemn you with a trick:
My fault was to forget you, too, were man
And mortal. Claws and teeth. It makes me sick.
I never saw – scant blessing there! I can
Imagine. Fact: the God that you defend
Can’t help you, when the lions choose your end.