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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PROVOCATIONS by JOHN DRINKWATER

Poet Analysis

First Line: I AM NO MERRY MONGER WHEN
Last Line: AND INDIGNATION CLEARS THE SKY.
Subject(s): CLERGY; PRIESTS; RABBIS; MINISTERS; BISHOPS;

I AM no merry monger when
I see the slatterns of the town:
I hate to think of docile men
Whose angers all are driven down;
For sluts make joy a thing obscene,
And in contempt is nothing clean.

I like to see the ladies walk
with heels to set their chins atilt:
I like to hear the clergy talk
Of other clergy's people's guilt;
For happy is the amorous eye,
And indignation clears the sky.



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