IN a famous Tuscan city Stands a chapel snug and small; Some old penitent's oblation, With a double dedication, To St. Peter and St. Paul. To a soul so stoutly guarded What of evil could befall? When was ever plan completer Without robbery of Peter, Paying thus his due to Paul? There it was I saw a lady, Very round and ripe and tall; Surely never face was sweeter Than she turned upon St. Peter, After bowing to St. Paul. Long and ardently I worshiped, -- Not the Saints, nor yet their Master, But my feminine ideal; Mea culpa! she was real Flesh and blood, and they were plaster! Good St. Anthony was tempted, Though a frigid old divine (Showing saints are only human), But he never saw a woman Half so beautiful as mine! Pardon then my bad behavior (Thus upon the twain I call), As if you were in my case, And were asking special grace Of St. Peter and St. Paul! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DREAM, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE A DIALOGUE ANTHEM by GEORGE HERBERT DEWEY AT MANILA [MAY 1, 1898] by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON TASTING THE EARTH by JAMES OPPENHEIM MUSIC IN CAMP by JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON |