WHAT, he on whom our voices unanimously ran, Made Pope at our last Conclave? Full low his life began: His father earned the daily bread as just a fisherman. So much the more his boy minds book, gives proof of mother-wit, Becomes first Deacon, and then Priest, then Bishop: see him sit No less than Cardinal erelong, while no one cries "Unfit!" But some one smirks, some other smiles, jogs elbow and nods head: Each winks at each: "I'-faith, a rise! Saint Peter's net, instead Of sword and keys, is come in vogue!" You think he blushes red? Not he, of humble holy heart! "Unworthy me!" he sighs: "From fisher's drudge to Church's prince -- it is indeed a rise: So, here's my way to keep the fact forever in my eyes!" And straightway in his palace-hall, where commonly is set Some coat-of-arms, some portraiture ancestral, lo, we met His mean estate's reminder in his fisher-father's net! Which step conciliates all and some, stops cavil in a trice: "The humble holy heart that holds of newborn pride no spice! He's just the saint to choose for Pope!" Each adds, "'T is my advice." So, Pope he was: and when we flocked -- its sacred slipper on -- To kiss his foot, we lifted eyes, alack, the thing was gone -- That guarantee of lowlihead, -- eclipsed that star which shone! Each eyed his fellow, one and all kept silence. I cried, "Pish! I'll make me spokesman for the rest, express the common wish. Why, Father, is the net removed?" "Son, it hath caught the fish." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WINTER: MY SECRET by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI AT LAST by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER THE ESCAPE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE YOUNG RABBI by E. C. L. BROWNE ASOLANDO: THE LADY AND THE PAINTER by ROBERT BROWNING PICTOR IGNOTUS by ROBERT BROWNING THREE WOMEN: SYLVIA by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR |