31.12.2010, 12:22
VIE DE JESUS.
On hearing of a forthcombig cheap edition.
A book of pleasant phrase, but narrow span
Of thought, is coming, in its cheapest guise,
Home to the hearths of each poor artisan
Throughout unhappy France—to make him wise
With a false gospel ; and that, so enticed,
And flush'd with petty raptures, he may give
His horny hands to this Parisian Christ,
Who lacks the strength to lift them ! Shall it live
This pleasant book ? Oh ! join with one accord !
Reject the lore, which—void of spleen or joke.
And in wild earnest—cuts clown at one stroke
The measure of the stature of our Lord,
To this unscriptural pigmy ! nor invoke
A frail young saint, in lieu of God the Word !
On hearing of a forthcombig cheap edition.
A book of pleasant phrase, but narrow span
Of thought, is coming, in its cheapest guise,
Home to the hearths of each poor artisan
Throughout unhappy France—to make him wise
With a false gospel ; and that, so enticed,
And flush'd with petty raptures, he may give
His horny hands to this Parisian Christ,
Who lacks the strength to lift them ! Shall it live
This pleasant book ? Oh ! join with one accord !
Reject the lore, which—void of spleen or joke.
And in wild earnest—cuts clown at one stroke
The measure of the stature of our Lord,
To this unscriptural pigmy ! nor invoke
A frail young saint, in lieu of God the Word !