Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FROM A SPANISH CLOISTER, by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FROM A SPANISH CLOISTER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Grrr - what's that? A dog? A poet?
Last Line: Ave, virgo! Gr-r-r — you swine!
Alternate Author Name(s): Chesterton, G. K.
Subject(s): Browning, Robert (1812-1889); Poetry & Poets


Grrr — what's that? A dog? A poet?
Uttering his damnations thus —
If hate killed things, Brother Browning,
God's Word, would not hate kill us?

If we ever meet together,
Salve tibi! I might hear
How you know poor monks are really
So much worse than they appear.

There's a great text in Corinthians
Hinting that our faith entails
Something else, that never faileth,
Yet in you, perhaps, it fails.

But if plena gratia chokes you,
You at least can teach us how
To converse in wordless noises,
Hy, zi; hullo! — Grrr — Bow—wow!

Such a flaw in the indenture
As he'd miss till, past retrieve,
Blasted lay that rose-acacia
We're so proud of! Hy, Zy, Hine ...
'St, there's Vespers! Plena gratiâ
Ave, Virgo! Gr-r-r — you swine!





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