Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MONKS OF THE SCREW, by JOHN PHILPOT CURRAN Poet's Biography First Line: When st. Patrick this order established Last Line: And prior, and monks of the screw! Subject(s): Clergy; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops | ||||||||
WHEN St. Patrick this order established, He called us the 'Monks of the Screw'; Good rules he revealed to our Abbot To guide us in what we should do. But first he replenished our fountain With liquor the best from on high; And he said, on the word of a saint, That the fountain should never run dry. 'Each year, when your octaves approach, In full chapter convened let me find you; And when to the convent you come, Leave your favourite temptation behind you. And be not a glass in your convent -- Unless on a festival -- found; And, this rule to enforce, I ordain it One festival all the year round. 'My brethren, be chaste -- till you're tempted; While sober, be grave and discreet; And humble your bodies with fasting, As oft as you've nothing to eat. Yet, in honour of fasting, one lean face Among you I'd always require; If the Abbot should please, he may wear it, If not, let it come to the Prior.' Come, let each take his chalice, my brethren, And with due devotion prepare, With hands and with voices uplifted, Our hymn to conclude with a prayer. May this chapter oft joyously meet, And this gladsome libation renew, To the Saint, and the Founder, and Abbot, And Prior, and Monks of the Screw! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SONG OF THE DEMENTED PRIEST by JOHN BERRYMAN HORATIO ALGER (1834-1899) by MADELINE DEFREES ELEGIES FOR THE OCHER DEER ON THE WALLS AT LASCAUX by NORMAN DUBIE IN THE TIME OF FALSE MESSIAHS; CIRCA 1648 by NORMAN DUBIE THE GUARDIAN OF THE RED DISK (SPOKEN BY A CITIZEN OF MALTA - 1300) by EMMA LAZARUS DOMESDAY BOOK: FATHER WHIMSETT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS DOMESDAY BOOK: REV. PERCY FERGUSON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THIS SIDE OF CALVIN by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY WHAT WAS LEFT OVER; FOR SUJATA BHATT by ELEANOR WILNER THE DESERTER['S MEDITATION] by JOHN PHILPOT CURRAN |
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