POOR HODGE AND THE REV. SANS FOY

[ZaunköniG]

POOR HODGE AND THE REV. SANS FOY.
Christmas.

Poor Hodge prays hard—the wise man smiles embower'd ;
The priest-philosopher, who lurks within
That screen of Christmas hollies, though empower'd
For other ends, takes pay for conscious sin :
What does the white-robed hireling, simpering thus
At his poor neighbour's spiritual desire?
Of all that honest faith incredulous.
The tainted vestal mocks the holy fire !
He lives beneath that little twinkling creed
Which counts for light at Tiibingen ; his list
Of Christian sympathies is brief indeed :
And yet he speaks right loyally for Christ !
Ah ! traitorous lips ! so Judas falsely kiss'd
The Truth, with thirty pieces for his meed.