The Pearl/Volume 7/Expostulation With a Fierce Preacher.

Oh, jealous Cotterill, why so warm? Because your congregation, In spite of all you preach and storm, Persist in fornication.

And so you think a ball-room dress Unfitted for a pew, And fain would check the wantonness That gives the breasts to view.

"Indecent" is a cruel word To use to strict church-goers, It's very awful by the Lord To call us rogues and whores.

In pews, like sheep in pens we sit, While you indulge in barking, If sheep will cast sheep's eyes a bit It is not worth remarking.

The ball-room and the play-house gay In India are so rare, That church for those who play or pray Is crowded by the fair.

Poor Cotterill - why then should he grieve Because our glances roam? He merely wants us all to leave Our "Hearts and Souls" at home.

I joy the lecherous girl to squeeze, I joy thy rage to see, So first I sin myself to please And next to anger thee.

The silliest goose that swims the lake Is known to be the Dotterel, That spelling must be a mistake. The name I'm sure is Cotterill!