Pope Urban II’s Double Sonnet
I.
Although we were God's advocate below,
We were a child of Adam, too, brought low
By sin. We therefore beg forgiveness though
We did our duty. Bravely, we brought low
The infidels. Our rhetoric called men to
Jerusalem with swords in hand as Christ
Himself commanded. Fields ran red with sliced-
Up children, men, expectant mothers, too--
The serpent crushed within the egg can't grow
To blaspheme God or strike at others. Though
Much bloody work, we had no choice. Our trust
As shepherds left no option--shepherds must
Protect their lambs. The Eastern fields ran red
With menaces that shepherds rightly bled.
II.
II.
We tended, too, our wandering sheep inside
The one true church. Thus, to our eastern side
We led the roaming churches back to Rome
While bringing, too, more unity at home
The one true church. Thus, to our eastern side
We led the roaming churches back to Rome
While bringing, too, more unity at home
Among the many Occidentals who
Now shared a common venture. Joined anew,
They focused on a foreign infidel
They focused on a foreign infidel
And Grace that comes from others sent to Hell--
Though we regret our actual person could
Not quit Rome's luscious palaces. We would
Have joined the foreign danger, blood, and grind
Had our position not kept us behind.
A headless body could not wage a war.
We were the head and lodged in Rome therefore.
The current contents of "The Apology Box" can be found here.
