Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A BALLAD OF OLD POPE JOHN, by THOMAS WALSH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A BALLAD OF OLD POPE JOHN, by                    
First Line: When there were popes in avignon
Last Line: "so must our feast proceed."
Alternate Author Name(s): Gill, Roderick; Strange, Garrett
Subject(s): Judas Iscariot (d. 30 A.d.); Popes; Papacy


How Pope John's table was made ready for the feast of the Holy Apostles

When there were Popes in Avignon
Great wonder came to pass,
And there was cheer, and benison,
At tourney, fair, and Mass,

Till John was Pope, and his feast was spread
All on Apostles' Day
Whereon the beggar mouths were fed
By cardinals in array.

They decked the papal shoulders old
In robes of baudekyn,
And took his heavy chair of gold
And proudly bore him in.

How he beheld a strange guest among his bedesmen.

"Ho, Steward," did he whisper then,
"Come hither unto me!
Did I not call for twelve poor men,
Yet thirteen here I see?"

"Most Holy Father, grace I pray" --
The steward blanched with fear --
"I fetched but twelve as for this day
You bade me welcome here."

How they deemed the holy Pope was become distraught.

Pope John, astounded, looked around;
"My cardinals and lords,
Are there not thirteen to be found
Here seated at our boards?"

The courtiers all let droop their eyes;
The Gascon cardinal spoke --
"Your Holiness would deign surprise
His household with a joke?"

How the Pope challengeth the unbidden guest to declare his state.

The Pontiff shook his head for nay,
"By Lady Mary, now,"
He cried and pointed, "Fellow, say,
I charge thee, who art thou?"

'Twas then the outcast raised his head
And threw his hood aside;
His face was like the unshrouded dead
As "Judas," he replied.

"And darest thou, accursed one,"
Cried out the Pope in rage,
"To venture near the sacred throne
Where Christian men engage!"

How the outcast maketh mock of Pope John's anger.

The stranger scoffed -- "Nay, I have sate
At higher feasts than thine,
Whereat Rabboni brake and ate,
And changed to blood the wine."

And seeing not whence came that sound,
The court went on its knees;
Pope John half staggered to the ground,
But the stranger kept his ease.

How Pope John saw that his feast must go on.

He drew his hood upon his head,
As though no more to heed.
Pope John upraised his Ring, and said,
"So must our feast proceed."





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