Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL AND BETTESWORTH, by JONATHAN SWIFT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL AND BETTESWORTH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear dick, prithee tell by what passion you move?
Last Line: Like a very foul mop, dirty more than they clean.
Subject(s): Clergy; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops


Dear Dick, prithee tell by what passion you move?
The world is in doubt, whether hatred or love;
And, while at good Cashel you rail with such spite,
They shrewdly suspect it is all but a bite.
You certainly know, though so loudly you vapour,
His spite cannot wound, who attempted the Drapier.
Then, prithee reflect, take a word of advice;
And, as your old wont is, change sides in a trice:
On his virtues hold forth; 'tis the very best way;
And say of the man what all honest men say.
But if, still obdurate, your anger remains,
If still your foul bosom more rancour contains;
Say then more than they; nay, lavishly flatter,
'Tis your gross panegyrics alone can bespatter.
For thine, my dear Dick, give me leave to speak plain,
Like a very foul mop, dirty more than they clean.





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