The New Decalogue

Have but one God: thy knees were sore   If bent in prayer to three or four.   Adore no images save those   The coinage of thy country shows.   Take not the Name in vain.

Direct   Thy swearing unto some effect.   Thy hand from Sunday work be held—   Work not at all unless compelled.   Honor thy parents, and perchance  Their wills thy fortunes may advance.  Kill not—death liberates thy foe  From persecution's constant woe.  Kiss not thy neighbor's wife.

Of course  There's no objection to divorce.  To steal were folly, for 'tis plain  In cheating there is greater pain.  Bear not false witness.

Shake your head  And say that you have "heard it said."  Who stays to covet ne'er will catch  An opportunity to snatch.

Composition date is unknown - the above date represents the first publication date.

The lyrical form of this poem is couplets.1.

For Moses' Ten Commandments, see Exodus 20.1-10.