POSTHUMOUS POEMS
Even by the sweet blood of your Lord the Christ,
Believe me this is perilous to say:
You talk of things that either you must kill
Or they will smite you on the sacred face,
Discredit you, despoil the chosen gold
On the dear bosom of this mother Church,
Uncover———
Cel.Ah, sir, tell me not of these!
An old man—ere the blessèd knife had shorn
One black top curl, I might have answered you;
I was too young—eh well, suppose men talk,
What matter? there's a lie in each man's mouth.
Yea "dixi" said God's blessed Psalmist once
"Dixi," that's where the choir breaks out full breath,
Makes half the sweet smoke ripple graciously,
Praising God's mother in delicious wise.
Ah, sir, be very tender of such words;
The trampled flesh is like a hurt snake's head
Most quick to peer up sharply—ah, sir, then
It stings the blood thro', verily!
Gio.My lord—
Cel. Ay, then begins to stir and strike and more
God keep us—worries as with angry teeth,
This sensual serpent of the evil flesh,
With its bruised head alive and such keen eyes
And such a large mouth with lean lips astir.
Ah, sir, be very tender of the flesh!
Believe me this is perilous to say:
You talk of things that either you must kill
Or they will smite you on the sacred face,
Discredit you, despoil the chosen gold
On the dear bosom of this mother Church,
Uncover———
Cel.Ah, sir, tell me not of these!
An old man—ere the blessèd knife had shorn
One black top curl, I might have answered you;
I was too young—eh well, suppose men talk,
What matter? there's a lie in each man's mouth.
Yea "dixi" said God's blessed Psalmist once
"Dixi," that's where the choir breaks out full breath,
Makes half the sweet smoke ripple graciously,
Praising God's mother in delicious wise.
Ah, sir, be very tender of such words;
The trampled flesh is like a hurt snake's head
Most quick to peer up sharply—ah, sir, then
It stings the blood thro', verily!
Gio.My lord—
Cel. Ay, then begins to stir and strike and more
God keep us—worries as with angry teeth,
This sensual serpent of the evil flesh,
With its bruised head alive and such keen eyes
And such a large mouth with lean lips astir.
Ah, sir, be very tender of the flesh!
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