SAINT Philip Neri, as old readings say, Met a young stranger in Rome's streets one day; And being ever courteously inclin'd To give young folks a sober turn of mind, He fell into discourse with him;—and thus The dialogue they held comes down to us,— 'Tell me what brings you, gentle youth, to Rome?' @3To make myself a scholar, Sir, I come.@1 'And when you are one, what do you intend?' @3To be a Priest, I hope, Sir, in the end.@1 'Suppose it so,—what have you next in view?' @3That I may get to be a Canon too.@1 'Well;—and how then?'—@3Why, then, for aught I know, I may be made a Bishop.@1—'Be it so;— 'What then?'—@3Why, Cardinal's a high degree; And yet my lot it possibly may be.@1 'Suppose it was;—what then?'—@3Why, who can say But I've a chance of being Pope one day?@1 'Well; having worn the mitre, the red hat, 'And triple crown,—what follows after that?' @3Nay, there is nothing further, to be sure, Upon this earth that wishing can procure. When I've enjoy'd a dignity so high As long as God shall please, then I MUST DIE.@1 'What! @3must@1 you die, fond youth?–and at the best 'But @3wish,@1 and @3hope,@1 and @3may be@1 all the rest? 'Take my advice;—whatever @3may@1 betide, 'For that which @3must be@1 first of all provide, 'Then think of that which @3may be;@1—and indeed, 'When well prepar'd who knows what may succeed? 'You yet may be, as you are pleas'd to hope, 'Priest, Canon, Bishop, Cardinal, and Pope.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWILIGHT AT THE HEIGHTS by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER ANYWHERE OUT OF THE WORLD by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE THE OLD HOUSE by LAURENCE BINYON HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 28 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH VALERIAN by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB EVENING SOLACE by CHARLOTTE BRONTE WANDERING WILLIE by ROBERT BURNS |