Eternal Punishment
William Alexander
Finite offence, infinite punishment!
No other finite works out infinite.
And what is sin? Full often to the light
Of life's main sea merely a shadow lent
From a thin cloud, a momentary bent
Of wills not adamant in their own despite
Hastily touch'd; on shields of argent white
A blur avenged by deep self-discontent.
Cruel the creeds that disproportionate
To transitory sin eternal fire;
Condemn'd by love's great logic that forgives,
By all the helplessness of human lives,
By all the Fatherhood our hearts desire,
By all Christ's sweet anathemas of hate.
The Deists On Eternal Punishment
