Journal 12

The poem connects with the story because it talks about death and faith and misfortune. In which all those things plus more are introduced with the story. Brothers, men who live after us, Let not your hearts be hardened against us, Because, if you have pity for us poor men, God will have more mercy toward you. You see us here attached five or six:    5 When our flesh that was nourished so well Is over time devoured and putrified, And we, the bones, have become cinders and powder. Let no one laugh at our misfortune: But pray that God absolve us all!     10

If we call you, brothers, you ought not To have disdain even though we were killed By law. Often, you know That not all men have a righteous mind; Excuse us, now that we have passed,  15 Toward the son of the Virgin Mary, That her grace will not be slow for us, Preserving us from the infernal fire. We are dead, no soul harries us; But pray that God absolve us all!     20

The rain has washed and purified us, And the sun has dried and blackened us: Magpies, crows have dug out our eyes And pulled out our beards and eyebrows. Never do we have rest;             25 The changeable wind blows us first this way, then that, To its pleasure without ceasing, Our skin has more bird peckings than if it were sewed. Do not leave our company then; But pray that God absolve us all!     30

Prince Jesus, who is lord of all, Keep us from the tyranny of Hell: Let the Devil have no claim over us Men, make no mockery here; But pray that God absolve us all!     35