The Rebel

by Charles Baudelaire

An angry Angel plunges out of the sky,

grips the sinner's hair and shakes him hard,

shouting: "Hear and obey, it is the law!

I am your Guardian Angel. Do my will!

Learn that you must love, with all your heart,

the poor in body and spirit, the low, the lost,

so that your charity may spread for Christ

a proper carpet when He walks the earth.

Such is true love! Before your heart goes numb,

let the glory of God awaken it to joy,

for that alone among your pleasure lasts!"

And the Angel, punishing to prove his love,

torments his victim with his giant fists;

but still the damned soul answers: "I will not!"