PART 3
All the Angels burst into applause
While the Saints rose from their places
But just as sentence was to be passed
Someone said: "A moment, Your Graces!"
Everyone looked towards the area
From where the voice had rung
And in utter amazement they saw
That Satan to his feet had sprung.
He looked at God and at the Son
And gave the Ghost a casual glance
And the whole assembly fell silent
As if they had been put in a trance.
Even the devils were stunned
At their Master's temerity
And kept wriggling their hands
While he addressed the Trinity.
"The verdict of guilty, as I see it,
Is justified only if their behaviour
Went against God's divine nature
And the sacrifice of the Saviour."
"If I may bring to light past events,
And call as my witness History
I'll prove that those here accused
Followed God's precepts faithfully."
"On the charge of murder I recall
The slaughter of the Canaanites,
Carried out on God's command,
By Joshua and the Israelites."
"On the charge of arson I shall bring
Sodom and Gomorrha to the stand;
The sons of Eli too, and many others,
Burnt to cinders by God's own hand."
"On theft can I bring to your minds
The plunder of the Egyptian nation
By Moses, Aaron and their people,
And prompted by divine revelation."
"Rape was inflicted on the captives
During Israel's wars of conquest,
Where women were shared by all
And God got his portion like the rest."
"And as far as lies are concerned
What of the lying spirits that were sent,
By God, into the prophets of old?
Was that not, too, a shameful event?"
"Now let's turn to the crucifixion,
Of which we hear so much about;
It wasn't meant for all, for we read
Only his people were singled out."
"And he spoke in parables, we note,
So that some would not come in
Can we then accept that his death
Was meant to redeem every sin?"
"Talking of sin. Please make up your minds
On the correct punishment for crime:
Is it the 'lake of fire', or 'outer darkness'?
I can't be in both places at the same time."
"And so, my friends, I rest my case;
It is now up to you all to decide
If these people are really guilty
Of not, by God's examples, abide."