Once the case in hand has been redeemed

the situation of the angel's not at all

a thing to envy. That bit of the world

that's just been saved can do without her,

while for the rest the outlook is as bad

as ever. She retires to a corner,

lights up, has a beer, plays patience. It's no good,

what is there for an unemployed angel?

...and can one be an angel, unemployed? 
 

Translated by Bernard Adams