Samuel Butler

And pulpit, drum ecclesiastic,
Was beat with fist instead of a stick.

And pulpit, drum ecclesiastic,
Was beat with fist instead of a stick.

For rhetoric, he could not ope
His mouth, but out there flew a trope.

For rhetoric, he could not ope
His mouth, but out there flew a trope.

Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish to hear it.

Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish to hear it.

He could raise scruples dark and nice,
And after solve 'em in a trice;
As if Divinity read more

He could raise scruples dark and nice,
And after solve 'em in a trice;
As if Divinity had catch'd
The itch, on purpose to be scratched.

Still amorous, and fond, and billing,
Like Philip and Mary, on a shilling.

Still amorous, and fond, and billing,
Like Philip and Mary, on a shilling.