Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PROXY SAINT, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PROXY SAINT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Each for himself must do his master's work
Last Line: "that thou on earth wast wont to fast and pray."
Subject(s): Saints


EACH for himself must do his Master's work,
Or at his peril leave it all undone;
Witness the fate of one who sought to shirk
The sanctuary's service, yet would shun
The penalty. A man of earthly aims
(So runs the apologue), whose pious spouse
Would oft remind him of the Church's claims,
Still answered thus, "Go thou and pay our vows
For thee and me." Now, when at Peter's gate
The twain together had arrived at last,
He let the woman in; then to her mate,
Shutting the door, "Thou hast already passed
By proxy," said the Saint, -- "just in the way
That thou on earth wast wont to fast and pray."





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