In Imitation of Dr. Swift : The Happy Life of a Country Parson
Alexander Pope 1688 (London) – 1744 (Twickenham)
Parson, these things in thy possessing
Are better than the Bishop's blessing.
A Wife that makes conserves; a Steed
That carries double when there's need:
October store, and best Virginia,
Tithe-Pig, and mortuary Guinea:
Gazettes sent gratis down, and frank'd,
For which thy Patron's weekly thank'd;
A large Concordance, bound long since:
Sermons to Charles the First, when Prince;
A Chronicle of ancient standing;
A Chrysostom to smooth thy band in.
The Polygot - three parts, - my text,
Howbeit, - likewise - now to my next.
Lo here the Septuagint, - and Paul,
To sum the whole, - the close of all.
He that has these, may pass his life,
Drink with the 'Squire, and kiss his wife;
On Sundays preach, and eat his fill;
And fast on Fridays - if he will;
Toast Church and Queen, explain the News,
Talk with Church-Wardens about Pews,
Pray heartily for some new Gift,
And shake his head at Doctor S-t.
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 49 sec read
- 43 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | AABBCDEEFFAGHHIIJJKKLLMD |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic tetrameter |
Characters | 884 |
Words | 161 |
Stanzas | 1 |
Stanza Lengths | 24 |
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"In Imitation of Dr. Swift : The Happy Life of a Country Parson" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/471/in-imitation-of-dr.-swift-:-the-happy-life-of-a-country-parson>.
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