Lay of Kushta, Sonnet 36
It was Geoff who spoke next, with his booming tenor voice
Train’d for the pulpit of the Temple itself by Angela
In earlier days when it seem’d Geoff might be High Priest.
Now he spoke, and though address’d straight ahead, his subject choice
Was aim’d at his Mother. In the silence the cupola
Above rang with his cry, Maliva be praised! I at least
Proclaim our gratitude to our great god. If Jonachem
Has foreseen the need, then so it must be. One does not doubt
The pontifex’s powers. And the full power of this House,
Its wealth, its favors, and yes its sons, must to the problem
Be applied. Taraf has fifteen generations prospered without
Faltering. Let it continue to shine, let us not douse
The hot flame of our most luxuriant prosperity
With the asphyxiating miasma of blasphemy.