Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

“ Twice the Pragmatick Chanter, thô in vain,
Pesum’d to discompose thy peaceful Reign ;
Twice with Schismatick Pride did enterprise
To force the Chapter in Rebellion rise ;
As oft the Dean him swoln with envious rage,
Hurl’d Headlong from high hopes ; and by sage
Sexton assisted, terrify’d the People
Who durst dispute the Title to his Steeple.
Instruct me Muse, for thou canst tell, what Thirst
Of sweeet Revenge, thô Dire, engaged first
Religious Souls to break the Sacred Tye
Of blessed Peace and heaven-born Amitie,
To make old Friends new Rivals ”

“ Shall all your Learning e’re make me believe,
“ That this is Lent, or any Saints dayes Eve ?
“ Then Reassume your self, forbear to Doat,
“ Meat heated twice, is not worth half a Groat !
Thus reseason’d Gilotin, and very loath
T’ adjourn a Meal, bed ‘em serve in the broath.
The Prelate stood a while in deep suspence,
He ey’d the Soupe with Holy Reverence ;
O’recome at last with Reason and good Nature
He yields, and sits him down to tast the Creature :
‘Yet inward Rage did all the while provoke him,
Twas fear’d each Morsel would go near to choke him ”

“ The Chanter I suppose might Plot with Heaven ;
“ Be’t so ! we may with both in time be Even :
“ But down it came, and for the better Grace,
“ That Holy things might rest in Holy Place,
“ We lodg’d it in the Vestry straight, and there
“ ’T has lyen despis’d in dust, these thirty year
“ Fighting with Worms and Spiders, who therein
“ Their curious Webbs do weave, and fine thred Spin ”