 | The poems of John Wilmot: Earl of Rochester |  |
On Rome's Pardons.
If Rome can pardon Sins, as Romans hold,
And if those Pardons, can be bought and sold,
It were no Sin, t'adore, and worship Gold.
And if those Pardons, can be bought and sold,
It were no Sin, t'adore, and worship Gold.
If they can purchase Pardons with a Sum,
For Sins they may commit in time to come,
And for Sins past, 'tis very well for Rome.
For Sins they may commit in time to come,
And for Sins past, 'tis very well for Rome.
At this rate they are happy'st that have most;
They'll purchase Heav'n, at their own proper cost,
Alas! the Poor! all that are so are lost.
They'll purchase Heav'n, at their own proper cost,
Alas! the Poor! all that are so are lost.
Whence came this knack, or when did it begin?
What Author have they, or who brought it in?
Did Christ, e're keep a Custom-house for Sin?
What Author have they, or who brought it in?
Did Christ, e're keep a Custom-house for Sin?
128
Some subtle Devil, without more ado,
Did certainly this sly invention brew,
To gull 'em of their Souls, and Money too.
Did certainly this sly invention brew,
To gull 'em of their Souls, and Money too.
| The poems of John Wilmot: Earl of Rochester | |