Gabriel's Rebuke

"Hearken you angels, all you hosts of Heav'n,
Who stand by undecided at this time!
War is upon us, yet you take no action!
Do we sit here to save ourselves the grief
And the gruesome realities of war?
Or do you wish not to be routed from
This Heavenly seat if defeated, having
Chosen unwisely? I dare say, that we
Would surely share in the fall if we choose
So, not to fight at all, and stand aside,
For being undecided is as taking
Part against God, the Sovereign Lord of Heav'n,
As this one act, of exempting ourselves
From combat, is clearly against His will,
And certainly a sign of non-allegiance,
When He hath called us to arms to defend
His throne, and see that Justice be upheld!  
If so, that we choose not to help His cause,
And lend Him not our strength of arms, but watch
From the sidelines, claiming ourselves t' be neutral,
The safer bet, then the Almighty Victor,
Who most certainly will prevail, may take
Us for enemies of Heav'n and Himself,
Having refused to join His ranks in Heav'n's
Time of need, as cowards before the onslaught,
Not having taken up our swords and shields
In defense of this sacred ground, an' therefore
Partaking not to see th' righteous prevail.
Our ignominy would be well deserved,
Who durst defy the Almighty's command
To defend Heaven and uphold Justice,
That Peace and Order be reclaimed, and end
This conflict, sooner than not, with our aid!"


Notes: This is heavily inspired of Paradise Lost, but also of Metallica, especially their albums 'Master of Puppets,' Ride the Lightning,' and 'And Justice For All.' I tried, in a sense, to write a 'heavy metal poem.'