[Uncertain] [c. Sept. 1680] If Rome can pardon sins, as Romans hold, And if those pardons can be bought and sold, It were no sin t' adore and worship gold. If they can purchase pardons with a sum For sins they may commit in time to come, And for sins past, 'tis very well for Rome. At this rate they are happiest that have most: They'll purchase heaven at their own proper cost. Alas, the poor! All that are so are lost. Whence came this knack, or when did it begin? What author have they, or who brought it in? Did Christ e'er keep a customhouse for sin? Some subtle devil, without more ado, Did certainly this sly invention brew To gull 'em of their souls and money too. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN: THE FIRST DAY: THE LEGEND OF RABBI BEN LEVY by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW INCIDENT CHARACTERISTIC OF A FAVOURITE DOG by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH HE MOURNS FOR THE CHANGE THAT HAS COME UPON HIM AND BELOVED by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |