A QUIET home had Parson Gray, Secluded in a vale; His daughters all were feminine, And all his sons were male. How faithfully did Parson Gray The bread of life dispense -- Well "posted" in theology, And post and rail his fence. 'Gainst all the vices of the age He manfully did battle; His chickens were a biped breed, And quadruped his cattle. No clock more punctually went, He ne'er delayed a minute -- Nor ever empty was his purse, When he had money in it. His piety was ne'er denied; His truths hit saint and sinner; At morn he always breakfasted; He always dined at dinner. He ne'er by any luck was grieved, By any care perplexed -- No filcher he, though when he preached, He always "took" a text. As faithful characters he drew As mortal ever saw; But ah! poor parson! when he died, His breath he could not draw! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HYBRIDS OF WAR: A MORALITY POEM: 2. CAMBODIA by KAREN SWENSON THE LAWYER'S INVOCATION TO SPRING by HENRY HOWARD BROWNELL THREE KINGS OF ORIENT by JOHN HENRY HOPKINS JR. ONE'S-SELF I SING by WALT WHITMAN WINTER TREE by WALTER R. ADAMS THE VIOLET by ALEXANDER ANDERSON THE WEDDING DAY; OR, THE BUCCANEER'S CURSE; A FAMILY LEGEND by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |