Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SAINT PHILIP NERI AND THE YOUTH, by JOHN BYROM


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SAINT PHILIP NERI AND THE YOUTH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Saint philip neri, as old readings say
Last Line: Priest, canon, bishop, cardinal, and pope.'


SAINT Philip Neri, as old readings say,
Met a young stranger in Rome's streets one day;
And being ever courteously inclin'd
To give young folks a sober turn of mind,
He fell into discourse with him;—and thus
The dialogue they held comes down to us,—
'Tell me what brings you, gentle youth, to Rome?'
To make myself a scholar, Sir, I come.
'And when you are one, what do you intend?'
To be a Priest, I hope, Sir, in the end.
'Suppose it so,—what have you next in view?'
That I may get to be a Canon too.
'Well;—and how then?'—Why, then, for aught I know,
I may be made a Bishop.—'Be it so;—
'What then?'—Why, Cardinal's a high degree;
And yet my lot it possibly may be.
'Suppose it was;—what then?'—Why, who can say
But I've a chance of being Pope one day?
'Well; having worn the mitre, the red hat,
'And triple crown,—what follows after that?'
Nay, there is nothing further, to be sure,
Upon this earth that wishing can procure.
When I've enjoy'd a dignity so high
As long as God shall please, then I MUST DIE.
'What! must you die, fond youth?–and at the best
'But wish, and hope, and may be all the rest?
'Take my advice;—whatever may betide,
'For that which must be first of all provide,
'Then think of that which may be;—and indeed,
'When well prepar'd who knows what may succeed?
'You yet may be, as you are pleas'd to hope,
'Priest, Canon, Bishop, Cardinal, and Pope.'





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