THUS says the prophet of the Turk, "Good Mussulman, abstain from pork; There is a part in every swine No friend or follower of mine May taste, whate'er his inclination, On pain of excommunication." Such Mahomet's mysterious charge, And thus he left the point at large. Had he the sinful part expressed, They might with safety eat the rest; But for one piece they thought it hard From the whole hog to be debarred, And set their wit at work to find What joint the prophet had in mind. Much controversy straight arose, These choose the back, the belly those; By some 'tis confidently said He meant not to forbid the head; While others at that doctrine rail, And piously prefer the tail. Thus, Conscience freed from every clog, Mahometans eat up the hog. You laugh--'tis well--the tale applied May make you laugh on t'other side. "Renounce the world," the preacher cries. "We do," a multitude replies. While one as innocent regards A snug and friendly game at cards; And one, whatever you may say, Can see no evil in a play; Some love a concert, or a race; And others shooting and the chase. Reviled and loved, renounced and followed, Thus, bit by bit, the world is swallowed; Each thinks his neighbour makes too free, Yet likes a slice as well as he: With sophistry their sauce they sweeten, Till quite from tail to snout 'tis eaten. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CENTRAL PARK AT DUSK by SARA TEASDALE A PRAYER by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE SPIRES OF OXFORD by WINIFRED MARY LETTS PSALM OF THOSE WHO GO FORTH BEFORE DAYLIGHT by CARL SANDBURG THE LAST LANDLORD by ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN TO MY READERS by ALEXANDER ANDERSON WHAT IS THE SPIRIT? by KATHARINE LEE BATES AFTER CHURCH by SAMUEL ALFRED BEADLE EPITAPH ON THE TOMBSTONE OF A CHILD, LAST OF SEVEN THAT DIED BEFORE by APHRA BEHN |