Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE NEW VICAR OF BRAY, by GEORGE GORDON BYRON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Do you know dr. Nott? Last Line: And from bishop sink into backbiter!' Alternate Author Name(s): Byron, Lord; Byron, 6th Baron Subject(s): Clergy; Nott, George Frederick (1767-1841); Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops | ||||||||
Do you know Dr. Nott? With 'a crook in his lot,' Who seven years since tried to dish up A neat Codicil To the Princess's Will, Which made Dr. Nott not a bishop. So the Doctor being found A little unsound In his doctrine, at least as a teacher, And kick'd from one stool As a knave or a fool, He mounted another as preacher. In that Gown (like the Skin With no Lion within) He still for the Bench would be driving; And roareth away, A new Vicar of Bray, Except that his bray lost his living. ''Gainst Freethinkers,' he roars, 'You should all block your doors Or be named in the Devil's indentures:' And here I agree. For who e'er would be A Guest where old Simony enters? Let the Priest, who beguiled His own Sovereign's child To his own dirty views of promotion, Wear his Sheep's clothing still Among flocks to his will, And dishonour the Cause of devotion. The Altar and Throne Are in danger alone From such as himself, who would render The Altar itself But a step up to Pelf, And pray God to pay his defender. But, Doctor, one word Which perhaps you have heard: 'He should never throw stones who has windows Of Glass to be broken, And by this same token As a sinner, you can't care what Sin does. 'But perhaps you do well: Your own windows, they tell, Have long ago suffered censure; Not a fragment remains Of your character's panes, Since the Regent refused you a glazier. 'Though your visions of lawn Have all been withdrawn, And you miss'd your bold stroke for a mitre; In a very snug way You may still preach and pray, And from bishop sink into backbiter!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SONG OF THE DEMENTED PRIEST by JOHN BERRYMAN HORATIO ALGER (1834-1899) by MADELINE DEFREES ELEGIES FOR THE OCHER DEER ON THE WALLS AT LASCAUX by NORMAN DUBIE IN THE TIME OF FALSE MESSIAHS; CIRCA 1648 by NORMAN DUBIE THE GUARDIAN OF THE RED DISK (SPOKEN BY A CITIZEN OF MALTA - 1300) by EMMA LAZARUS DOMESDAY BOOK: FATHER WHIMSETT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS DOMESDAY BOOK: REV. PERCY FERGUSON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THIS SIDE OF CALVIN by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY WHAT WAS LEFT OVER; FOR SUJATA BHATT by ELEANOR WILNER ALL IS VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER' by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |
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