He watched the merchants fleece the pilgrim crowd.
The teachers said that all coins with a face
Were idols, so you could not be allowed
To bring them to the Temple. But the place
To change them was right here! Then buy your doves
For sacrifice in one convenient stop!
The wretched of the earth came up in droves
To purchase expiation in the shop.
The carpenter from Nazareth sat down;
Saw thumbs on every scale, and saw the Law
Exploited with connivance of the crown,
And set his cold plan in the air to thaw.
A fit of passion no prep time affords.
It takes six hours to braid a whip of cords.