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?' @3To make myself a scholar, Sir, I come.@1 'And when you are one, what do you intend?' @3To be a Priest, I hope, Sir, in the end.@1 'Suppose it so,—what have you next in view?' @3That I may get to be a Canon too.@1 'Well;—and how then?'—@3Why, then, for aught I know, I may be made a Bishop.@1—'Be it so;— 'What then?'—@3Why, Cardinal's a high degree; And yet my lot it possibly may be.@1 'Suppose it was;—what then?'—@3Why, who can say But I've a chance of being Pope one day?@1 'Well; having worn the mitre, the red hat, 'And triple crown,—what follows after that?' @3Nay, 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.@1 'What! @3must@1 you die, fond youth?–and at the best 'But @3wish,@1 and @3hope,@1 and @3may be@1 all the rest? 'Take my advice;—whatever @3may@1 betide, 'For that which @3must be@1 first of all provide, 'Then think of that which @3may be;@1—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.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNETS ATTEMPTED IN THE MANNER OF CONTEMPORARY WRITERS: 2 by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 90. 'RETRO ME, SATHANA!' by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE WELCOME TO ALEXANDRA by ALFRED TENNYSON THE CONFIDENT SCIENTIST by ALEXIS TO THE MEMORY OF H-- M-- by BERNARD BARTON |