Page:Two Mock Epics (Hanuman and Tantum Religio), Lyrics, Post Meridian Verse, The Turret Captain's Toast and other Verses.pdf/84

 Damnation in the world eternal

To purgatorial flames infernal.)

His godless avarice was, I think,

Attributed by some to drink.

The fact is, ’twas not due to toddy

But the austere religious body,

To whom was due his own poor rent,

His savings being in masses spent.

Not long, they’d threatened to distrain;

For Churchmen waste not threats in vain,

But misery’s last mite extract

With the sleek gusto once they racked.

But well he knew the legal screw

Was in the fire, his fate was settled;

For Father Fuchs, the Capuchin,

Owed him a grudge, and that’s a sin

Past shrift; so, desperate and nettled,

He turned an ear to Blasio’s offer,

Defied the Pope and housed the scoffer.

Great was the scandal: deputations

Poured to the house, with execrations

And protests ’gainst such desecrations

Of Sondrian rookeries, yet unsullied;

Fat priests wheezed vague vaticinations

Of famine, plague, dread expiations,

And bull necks Tully’s self out-tullied.

Others rushed up with book and candle

And boys, to exorcise the scandal.

From wine-tubs some denounce the outrage,

Others perambulate and spout rage;

Some quote Ezekiel, some the Pandects,

All thump their fists, till every hand aches;