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| FOR God, our God, is a gallant foe | |
| That playeth behind the veil. | |
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| I have loved my God as a child at heart | |
| That seeketh deep bosoms for rest, | |
| I have loved my God as maid to man, | 5 |
| But lo, this thing is best: | |
| |
| To love your God as a gallant foe | |
| that plays behind the veil, | |
| To meet your God as the night winds meet | |
| beyond Arcturus’ pale. | 10 |
| |
| I have play’d with God for a woman, | |
| I have staked with my God for truth, | |
| I have lost to my God as a man, clear eyed, | |
| His dice be not of ruth. | |
| |
| For I am made as a naked blade, | 15 |
| But hear ye this thing in sooth: | |
| |
| Who loseth to God as man to man | |
| Shall win at the turn of the game. | |
| I have drawn my blade where the lightnings meet, | |
| But the ending is the same: | 20 |
| Who loseth to God as the sword blades lose | |
| Shall win at the end of the game. | |
| |
| For God, our God, is a gallant foe | |
| that playeth behind the veil, | |
| Whom God deigns not to overthrow | 25 |
| Hath need of triple mail. | |
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