DUTY AND FEAR

A craven act derives great shame
And makes you feel you are too small.
You commit it and proudly claim
That strength is master of us all.

What makes a person use his might,
Opposing all those cheated crowd,
Or shouting for the death of Christ
When all their leaders wished Him dead?

Saint Peter escaped shy to speak
Though he was faithful and quite strong.
The poor could shout and so the weak
As they were shouting with the throng.

But Peter wept as he could not
Say what he thought to wrathful men.
Words of the truth would cost a lot;
Who can fight beasts in their wild den?

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH