To the court, o scribes, I yield myself to you,
Judge me with the statutes written in your code,
All my life in legal serfdom I abode,
Though I'd not let you crush my soul, nor will I do.
I passed by, ignored, your pharisaic crew,
I admit no homage to your idols owed,
If a groan of cursing fled my breast, its load
Was curse of self and snake of pain that gnawed me through.
Never sinned I sin that with your sins could vie,
To the lees I drank the cup of suffering,
Yet not once did it corrupt me deep within.
Only one sin on my soul like lion did lie,
Judge then this, my fault, a heart, a heart had I!
But, in truth can this be such a grievous sin?
1915