Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PLACE OF THE DAMNED, by JONATHAN SWIFT



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PLACE OF THE DAMNED, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: All folks who pretend to religion and grace
Last Line: How happy for us, that it is not at home!
Subject(s): Bible; Religion; Theology


All folks who pretend to religion and grace,
Allow there's a Hell, but dispute of the place;
But if Hell may by logical rules be defined
The Place of the Damned -- I'll tell you my mind.
Wherever the Damned do chiefly abound,
Most certainly there is Hell to be found;
Damned poets, damned critics, damned blockheads, damned knaves,
Damned senators bribed, damned prostitute slaves;
Damned lawyers and judges, damned lords and damned squires,
Damned spies and informers, damned friends and damned liars;
Damned villains corrupted in every station;
Damned time-serving priests all over the nation.
And into the bargain, I'll readily give ye,
Damned ignorant prelates, and counsellors privy.
Then let us no longer by parsons be flammed,
For we know by these marks the Place of the Damned:
And Hell to be sure is at Paris or Rome,
How happy for us, that it is not at home!






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