Step forward:
We hear that you are a good man,
That you possess virtue.
You cannot be bought,
But the lightning which strikes the house,
Also cannot be bought.
You hold true to what you say.
But what do you say?
You are honest, you state your opinion.
But which opinion is that?
You are brave.
Against whom?
You are wise.
For whom?
You are loyal.
To whom?
You serve justice.
But whose justice do you serve?
You do not consider your personal advantages.
Whose advantages do you consider then?
You are a good friend.
But are you a good friend of the good people?
You fight the enemy.
Have you chosen the right enemy, though?
Hear us then:
We know you are our enemy,
As you know we are your enemy.
That is why we shall
Now put you in front of a wall.
But in consideration of your virtue,
Your fine merits and good qualities,
We shall put you in front of a good wall and shoot you
With a good bullet from a good gun and bury you
With a good shovel into the good earth.
Bertolt Brecht