Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TOPHET; AN EPIGRAM by THOMAS GRAY

Poet Analysis

First Line: SUCH TOPHET WAS; SO LOOKED THE GRINNING FIEND
Last Line: AND SATAN'S SELF HAD THOUGHTS OF TAKING ORDERS.
Subject(s): ETOUGH, HENRY;
Such Tophet was; so looked the grinning fiend
While frighted prelates bow'd and called him friend;
I saw them bow, and while they wish'd him dead,
With servile simper nod the mitred head.
Our Mother-Church with half-averted sight
Blush'd as she blesst her griesly proselyte:
Hosannahs rung through Hell's tremendous borders,
And Satan's self had thoughts of taking orders.



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