Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PARSON GRAY, by OLIVER GOLDSMITH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PARSON GRAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A quiet home had parson gray
Last Line: His breath he could not draw!
Subject(s): Death; Religion; Dead, The; Theology


A QUIET home had Parson Gray,
Secluded in a vale;
His daughters all were feminine,
And all his sons were male.

How faithfully did Parson Gray
The bread of life dispense --
Well "posted" in theology,
And post and rail his fence.

'Gainst all the vices of the age
He manfully did battle;
His chickens were a biped breed,
And quadruped his cattle.

No clock more punctually went,
He ne'er delayed a minute --
Nor ever empty was his purse,
When he had money in it.

His piety was ne'er denied;
His truths hit saint and sinner;
At morn he always breakfasted;
He always dined at dinner.

He ne'er by any luck was grieved,
By any care perplexed --
No filcher he, though when he preached,
He always "took" a text.

As faithful characters he drew
As mortal ever saw;
But ah! poor parson! when he died,
His breath he could not draw!





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